Autonet Mobile Partners with Bosch to Deliver Industry's First App Platform for Cars

SAN FRANCISCO, April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Autonet Mobile, an application and connectivity platform for vehicles, today announced a strategic partnership with Bosch's Car Multimedia Division to manufacture its IP-based telematics control unit (TCU).  Autonet Mobile's automotive-grade device is built to be factory-installed and to access the vehicle's CAN Bus to drive the development of in-vehicle applications including key fob, parental control and fleet offerings.  With Autonet Mobile's TCU in place, automotive manufacturers can drive new revenue streams from their vehicles by offering services such as the ability to connect the car to smartphones; parking and toll applications; and vehicle diagnostics. 

"Partnering with Autonet Mobile provides a massive market opportunity to bring Internet apps into the vehicle," said Juergen Peters, regional president, Car Multimedia North America, Robert Bosch LLC.  "Together, we're enabling a whole world of applications that communicate with systems throughout the car – including the head unit, sensor networks and instrument clusters – to enhance the driving experience."

Autonet Mobile's IP TCU is built on the company's patent-pending TRU Technology platform, which manages the vehicle on an IP network. The new system enables any automotive manufacturer to connect their cars to high-speed mobile networks and deliver new features that enable pervasive cloud computing, mobile apps and fleet telematics.  The company is partnering with Bosch's Car Multimedia Division to manufacture an automotive-grade device that can be factory installed to speak directly to the vehicle's other systems as well as to external devices.

"There are more than 40 million cars produced each year," said Sterling Pratz, CEO of Autonet Mobile.  "Our Internet-based TCU is the first part that has been specifically designed for any automotive manufacturer who wants to bring the app store into the car."

About Autonet Mobile, Inc.

Autonet Mobile is the world's first in-car Internet service provider.  Founded by a corporate executive and former racecar driver and a leading network architect and designer, the company is dedicated to enhancing the in-car experience by bringing the power of the Internet to the 250+ million cars on the road in the U.S.  For more information about Autonet Mobile, visit autonetmobile.com

About Bosch

In the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial drives and control technology, power tools, security and communication systems, packaging technology, thermotechnology, household appliances, solar energy, healthcare telemedicine and software innovations. Having established a regional presence in 1906, Bosch employs over 22,500 associates in more than 100 locations, with sales of $9.8 billion in fiscal year 2011, per preliminary figures.  For more information, visit www.boschusa.com.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. According to preliminary figures, more than 300,000 associates generated sales of 51.4 billion euros ($71.5 billion) in the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology in fiscal year 2011. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 350 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Bosch spent more than 4 billion euros ($5.5 billion) for research and development in 2011, and applied for over 4,100 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.  Further information is available online at www.bosch.com and www.bosch-press.com.

SOURCE Autonet Mobile