Kick-off of Nomadic Device Forum – 23 June

Date: 12 May 2005

The kick-off meeting of the Nomadic Device Forum will be held in Brussels on Thursday, 23 June.

The use of portable “Nomadic Devices” in the car by a driver for support, assistance, communication or entertainment is increasingly common. As in-car use of Bluetooth mobile phones, handheld computers, portable navigators and personal music players rapidly grows, there are concerns that this use could lead to driver distraction and increased safety risk. Currently, there is also a lack of standards for device docking in the vehicle or for safe installation and use.

The EU-supported 6th Framework Programme RTD AIDE project – in which ERTICO is a participant - is developing an adaptive integrated driver-vehicle interface to tackle the ever-increasing demands on the driver from the growing number of safety and information systems. Ensuring the safe and efficient integration of nomadic devices is an important project aim and is the main focus of ERTICO’s participation in AIDE. The AIDE solution features an Interaction and Communication Assistant (ICA) that centrally manages the interfaces between various ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) and information systems (including nomadic devices) and the driver.

From their side, ERTICO Partners have recognised the need to find harmonised solutions for the interface between portable devices such as mobile phones and in-vehicle components such as audio input/output devices, display screens and steering-wheel hand controls. No such agreed standards on either the vehicle or mobile device side presently exist.

Initial workshops and progress
To tackle these issues, the first European workshop on nomadic devices was organised by ERTICO on 20 January 2005, attracting over fifty participants from vehicle manufacturers, first-tier suppliers, navigation device manufacturers, mobile phone manufacturers, digital map suppliers, software and application developers, public authorities, academic and research organisations and mobile telecom operators. Presentations were given by representatives of ERTICO Partners Motorola, Nokia, Renault; the eSafety Forum, as well as the AIDE project.

The workshop concluded that although nomadic devices may pose certain safety risks unless properly installed in the vehicle, they could also bring benefits for and were increasingly popular with drivers. It recommended that a cross-industry group should assess these risks and find solutions. The Workshop also concluded that the European Statement of Principles on HMI should be extended to address the responsibility of each body involved in device sales and supply.

Vehicle makers were increasingly interested to offer products and services using nomadic devices, but were held back by the lack of standards and concerns about product liability. They were prepared to work towards industry standards for interfaces to nomadic devices - providing this was based on a foundation and good understanding of real market needs.

The meeting agreed there was a need to set up a standing Nomadic Device Forum involving the key relevant stakeholders to work on both safety/HMI issues as well as  the requirements and specifications for a nomadic device interface or gateway into the vehicle.

A further workshop on nomadic devices took place within the frame of the first AIDE User Forum held on 16 March. This focused on the requirements for main stakeholders - the vehicle manufacturer, mobile device manufacturer and telecom provider. The services most desired by users were the mobile phone, navigation and music. A number of specific requirements were discussed, but it was agreed that it was most important beforehand to assess whether benefits could accrue to each stakeholder as a result of closer vehicle-device integration. 

23 June Workshop
A core working group is currently preparing for the kick-off meeting of the Nomadic Device Forum to be held in Brussels on Thursday, 23 June. This workshop will address topics including:

• finding a win-win business case for both vehicle and nomadic device providers
• how to reduce safety risks of nomadic device installation and use
• functional requirements and architectures for a nomadic device gateway
• role and tasks for the Nomadic Device Forum

For more information and to register for this workshop, see the form below:

Announcement v2.pdf (75 KB)

or contact ERTICO Head of New Initiatives and Nomadic Device Forum Manager Paul Kompfner or phone +32 (0)2 400 07 32.