"Smart Access" Cloud Telematics Service for In-Car Use to be Launched in U.S. and Japan Starting from June
CYPRESS, Calif., May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarion Co., Ltd. (Tatsuhiko IZUMI, President; hereinafter "Clarion") has created the "Smart Access" Cloud Telematics Service for the purpose of providing drivers with a more comfortable, safe and convenient driving environment. The service will be launched in June in North America and Japan, and will be implemented globally in stages. We have plans to introduce new products that are compatible with "Smart Access." By developing our telematics service business through "Smart Access," together with a new lineup of in-vehicle products delivering value-added connectivity, Clarion will transform from an "in-vehicle information equipment manufacturer" to a "in-vehicle information solution provider."
The global Smartphone market is growing at tremendous rates and is influencing the automotive industry in a substantial way. As it becomes increasingly more common for people to connect to the internet and use its applications globally, the ability to continuously deliver new features, functionality and benefits through an internet connection in the vehicle will become a universal necessity. With this future vision for the global market in mind, Clarion will strive to increase its in-car information business, and will provide telematics services in order to contribute to society through car manufacturer OEM devices and after-market products. This will be essential for Clarion's future, and the company will be taking its first steps in that direction with "Smart Access," which was developed in close cooperation with Hitachi Group.
Main Features:
(1) Variety of "Smart Access" main
functions including Smartphone
connectivity, VRM service and CRM
service.
"Smart Access" is designed to offer
wide support for essential items in
the future such as: "Smartphone
connectivity" which allows the wide
variety of Smartphone apps to be used
in the car; "VRM (Vehicle Relational
Management System) service" which
secures the car through maintenance
and safety management as well as
probe information; "CRM (Customer
Relational Management System)
service" which continuously provides
such information to the customer for
his/her protection; and the "E Call"
emergency calling system which is
expected to spread globally in the
future. Furthermore, "Smart Access"
is designed to function not only as
the proprietary telematics system for
Clarion, but also as a common
telematics system for car
manufacturers.
(2) Provision of cloud services and
variety of content developed through
cooperation with various partners.
Through "Smart Access," Clarion will be
connecting the freshest, real-time
information from a variety of sources,
to the user, utilizing a "Cloud
Telematics Service" basic
architecture. What's more, in order to
offer optimal and exciting in-car
applications, new content will be
planned and developed in conjunction
with various partners that are leaders
in their specific fields.
(3) Maintaining trust and a high
reliability based on technological
expertise, quality assurance and
security technologies in developing
in-vehicle information equipment.
Clarion will continue creating a safe
and secure in-vehicle internet
connection system. Moreover, since
core development will take place in
cooperation with Hitachi Group, it
will be possible to leverage the vast
capabilities within the Hitachi Group
continuously, thereby providing safe
and secure services to customers.
(4) Sustained development and provision of
"Connective In-Vehicle Products."
Starting with after-market products
due to begin sales in June, 2012,
upcoming newly developed in-vehicle
equipment such as car navigation
systems will be equipped with a
"Smart Access" connection interface
that will add new value to these
"Smart Access Connective" Clarion
products. Since frequent updating
and addition of new application
content is sustainable through "Smart
Access," it will be possible to
continue to provide new value to the
user even after purchase. Moreover,
in the OEM business, the interface
will be open-sourced so that car
manufacturers can not only have
connectivity with their own in-
vehicle equipment, but also with in-
vehicle equipment by other
manufacturers.
In conjunction with the launch of "Smart Access," Clarion has selected its new brand slogan "moves you, connects you" as the promotion keyword to express our new mission, and will be rolling out a new global promotional strategy based on it. The main thrust of Clarion's message is that "Clarion will move you, by connecting you with sound, information, comfort, and safety."
About Clarion
Clarion Corporation of America, headquartered in Cypress, California, is a subsidiary of Clarion Co. Ltd., headquartered in Japan, which has been a consolidated subsidiary of the Hitachi Group since 2006 and an international leader in car audio and electronics since 1940. The company is involved in the research, development, engineering, design, manufacturing, sales and marketing of mobile entertainment, navigation, communication and safety and security products for the automotive, marine, recreational vehicle, commercial fleet and heavy industry environments. Clarion has been the recipient of numerous awards for design innovation, support, manufacturing and product reliability from independent organizations and customers alike. The company has marketing and sales affiliates in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia. Clarion is located on the web at http://www.clarion.com.