NORTHBROOK, Ill.-Motorola Inc. announced a partnership with automobile manufacturer Renault and France Telecom Mobiles to develop a telematics system for Renault drivers.
The on-board communications device will link drivers to emergency response, roadside assistance and other services through a 24-hour control center. Motorola said the system will be available starting this fall as an option on all new Renault vehicles in France. The option eventually will be extended throughout Europe.
The telematics system incorporates Motorola’s in-vehicle Global Positioning System and wireless technologies, hands-free Global System for Mobile communications handsets and proprietary telematics communications intelligence, said Motorola.
Drivers press one of three buttons to connect with the control center, or a message automatically is sent to the center in the event of a collision, which identifies the driver, vehicle location, direction of travel and type of request.
Earlier this year, Motorola signed an agreement with Nissan Motor Corp. USA for a similar system. Other automobile manufacturers, including General Motors and Ford Motor Co., have begun to develop and offer telematics services in vehicles they build.
