18 GENIVI member companies now offering compliant software platforms to global OEMs

SAN RAMON, Calif., Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The GENIVI Alliance, an automotive and consumer electronics industry association driving the development and adoption of an open in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) reference platform, today announced that 18 GENIVI member companies are now offering  global automotive manufacturers software platforms which are registered as GENIVI compliant.

A GENIVI compliant software platform provides automakers the needed operating system, system infrastructure and middleware elements on which to build the differentiated applications and other features that make up the software components of an automaker's next-generation IVI system.

"From PSA Peugeot Citroen's perspective, GENIVI is most valuable in enabling many suppliers to compete on quality, while providing a consistent IVI software platform as defined by the Alliance across all industry requirements," said Philippe Gicquel, general manager for Connectivity, Telematics, Infotainment Modules, PSA Peugeot Citroen.  "This enables PSA to focus on the differentiation we need to compete in the infotainment market."

Launched in August 2011, GENIVI's compliance program was designed to define a detailed set of technical requirements enabling member companies to qualify for automaker's request for proposals giving them the benefit of a commonly developed and collectively maintained software infrastructure that shares non-differentiating elements, encourages reuse over time and allows them to concentrate on their unique, branded value to their customers.

Its latest compliance specification announced at GENIVI's recent all-member meeting in Shanghai, requires that compliant platforms use a current version of the Linux operating system. It also adds new Bluetooth™ capabilities and a node manager that collates information from multiple sources in the vehicle to allow rapid switching between applications sharing the same display.

The 3.0 specification also mandates the use of updated open source components that manage internet connections, establish network connections on demand, select and authenticate Wi-Fi networks, and provide for applications and services to talk to one another.

GENIVI compliant platforms are offered from a full industry range of member companies including tier-one automotive suppliers, silicon manufacturers plus software and service providers.  Expert groups within these technology focus areas have developed a specification for open source IVI middleware which is refreshed and enhanced in alignment with GENIVI's all-member meetings, with member-built compliant platforms designed for automakers to develop next generation IVI head units.

The process is impressive: GENIVI's specifications are applied by software vendors to create a platform. This in turn is combined with hardware offered by other GENIVI members allowing automakers to offer the industry's most advanced infotainment systems to their customers.

"GENIVI's acceptance continues to grow at a rapid pace as evidenced by the number of platforms already registered as GENIVI compliant," said Steve Crumb, executive director, GENIVI Alliance.  "The breadth of support from a wide cross section of industry experts will only increase the momentum going forward."

Additionally, GENIVI-sponsored open source projects announced in September (Layer Manager, Audio Manager and Automotive DLT-Diagnostic Log and Trace), are publicly available and participation in the FOSS (Free and Open-Source Software) community is going strong as evidenced by  immediate interest in these projects from both GENIVI member and non-member developers, inside and outside the automotive industry.

For further information on GENIVI's compliance program and open source projects, visit www.genivi.org.

About GENIVI Alliance
The GENIVI Alliance is a non-profit industry association whose mission is to drive the broad adoption of an In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) open source development platform.  GENIVI will accomplish this by aligning requirements, delivering reference implementations, offering certification programs and fostering a vibrant open source IVI community. GENIVI's work will result in shortened development cycles, quicker time-to-market, and reduced costs for companies developing IVI equipment and software. Comprised of more than 165 member companies, GENIVI is headquartered in San Ramon, Calif. www.genivi.org.

Media Contact- GENIVI:
Craig Miner
248.840.8368  
Cminer1@att.net

SOURCE GENIVI Alliance