Latest EB GUIDE Version Supports Auto-Industry Development Of New Connected-Car Features

BADEN-BADEN, Germany, Oct. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The new version of Elektrobit's HMI (human machine interface) development platform -- EB GUIDE -- has a wide range of consumer-inspired features, including 3D content import, graphical animations and effects and speech recognition for dynamic data, as well as multi-touch and touch-gesture recognition for smart phone-like user interaction.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121015/DE92272LOGO)

EB GUIDE 5.5 also allows carmakers and suppliers to create multi-modal HMIs enriched with HTML5 app-like content.

"The auto industry is working to provide drivers with the same seamless experience they've come to expect from their smart phones and other consumer electronics products," said Martin Schleicher, EB's vice president of Infotainment Products and Strategy. "New EB GUIDE 5.5 features such as dynamic speech recognition and HTML5 enable carmakers to bring web-based applications into the car. 

"With EB GUIDE, carmakers are able to integrate the latest consumer applications into their vehicles while taking into account driver distraction. The result is a safe, convenient and superior driving experience."

The latest version of EB's HMI development platform is being released today (Oct. 16) at the International Conference "Electronic Systems for Motor Vehicles" in Baden-Baden. EB GUIDE 5.5 delivers an inter-process framework (IPC) for the integration of a HTML5 sandbox or any similar technology. The HTML5 integration is based on the EB GUIDE Graphic Target Framework (GTF) and an HTML5 enabled browser engine which is displayed in the core HMI via a HTML5 widget. The API (Application Programming Interface) available for app developers is directly generated from the development tool EB GUIDE Studio making it easier to grant HTML5 content a controlled channel to in-car data.

Management of pop-ups and possible driver distraction is handled by the core HMI. As a result, carmakers are able to model the usability of the whole HMI and the security level access for external applications, ensuring that the device will always be up to date during the car's life-cycle and allowing the delivery of new content for the driver.

The newest version of EB GUIDE also offers a DirectXRenderer, which enables EB GUIDE GTF on Microsoft Windows 8 RT. It also supports several new speech options, since external grammar files can be used directly in EB GUIDE Studio for more creative speech interfaces. In addition, version 5.5 allows dynamic vocabulary to adapt speech recognition to real-life data like MP3 lists, address books or radio stations. Furthermore, EB showcases a technology preview on the usage of statistic language models (SLM) to create more natural voice user interfaces.

EB GUIDE 5.5 offers an improved support for customers in Japan.  For example, the EB GUIDE Studio user interface and the first part of documentation are now available in Japanese.

EB GUIDE is one of the world's leading integrated HMI software platforms and has been used by major global carmakers and suppliers across markets and carlines since 2005. It is a complete software solution that provides more flexibility, shortens time-to-market and reduces the cost of developing HMIs.

EB, Elektrobit Corporation
EB creates advanced technology and turns it into enriching end-user experiences. EB is specialized in demanding embedded software and hardware solutions for wireless and automotive industries. The net sales from continuing operations in 2012 totaled MEUR 185.4. Elektrobit Corporation is listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (EBC1V). www.elektrobit.com  

Elektrobit (EB) – Automotive Software
EB represents one of the most important suppliers of embedded software solutions for the automotive industry. In addition to the development of innovative products, it also specializes in services and consulting for the automotive industry, supplying implementations of serial software solutions for a broad range of AUTOSAR and FlexRay, infotainment, navigation, HMI and driver assistance systems. EB continues to invest in feature integration and development tools so that the in-vehicle devices get to market more quickly and ship in volume sooner. www.automotive.elektrobit.com.

SOURCE Elektrobit