Bluetoothing in cars is on the rise and the technology shows no signs of slowing down any time soon, says a new report by ABI Research.
While Bluetooth automotive markets have been stalled in the past, ABI stated that the market grew significantly in 2005 and shows healthy signs of prospects for long-term growth.
“Several key factors have fallen into place and have driven the market to an unprecedented level: 141-percent growth in 2005, when compared to 2004,” noted Stuart Carlaw, principal analyst of wireless connectivity at ABI.
While a number of factors affect Bluetooth’s growth, three drivers are clearly “head and shoulders above the rest,” according to ABI’s report.
First, ABI points to awareness, familiarity and use of Bluetooth among consumers growing by leaps and bounds, which has resulted in consumer demands for Bluetooth features instead of manufacturers pushing the features.
Next, the report identifies skyrocketing wireless handset penetration rates, which are expected to increase even further.
Last, but most importantly, the report says hands-free driving legislation “has played directly into the hands of the Bluetooth community.”
In response to the legislation, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group says dialing and maneuvering through a phonebook on the go has been made easier and safer for drivers with its new Phone Book Access Profile as well as its enhanced Hands-Free Profile 1.5.
With the PBAP, the content from a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device’s phone book is displayed in a standard format, making it easier to browse through, explained Michael Foley, director of the Bluetooth SIG. The HFP 1.5 has been updated to include common phone features along with enhanced audio quality.
Mobile phones and after-market car-kits sporting these new enhancements are expected to hit the market later this year. Bluetooth kits embedded in cars are expected to take a bit longer due to the development cycle of cars. Expect enhanced built-in Bluetooth car kits sometime in 2007.
But Bluetooth’s relationship with cars won’t be defined by hands-free talking on the phone for long, says another report, this one by automotive technology consultants SBD. Music will also play a role.
“Bluetooth wireless technology will start to become standard in cars in the near future,” said David McClure, head of Telematics Research at SBD. “The next technology driver after hands-free legislation is the desire from car owners to transfer music to the car stereo system via Bluetooth technology. Though MP3 players presently only use adapters to implement Bluetooth technology, we are seeing an increasing amount of mobile phones with MP3 functionality on the market. This will further push the need for built-in Bluetooth functionality in cars.”
SBP further suggests automakers are likely to adopt Bluetooth technology to enable the connection of portable digital music players to the car, ridding users of proprietary wired connectors and basic auxiliary inputs with a universal connection between the car and any Bluetooth-equipped music player. In addition, enhanced remote control functions are expected to enable drivers to choose the music they want to hear without taking their hands off the steering wheel, said SBP.
Several car makers offer embedded Bluetooth hands-free car-kits, including Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, Saab, Toyota and Volkswagen, while after-market kits for just about any make or model are also available.
“In the past, there was no universal way for Bluetooth mobile phones and car hands-free systems to share phonebook and contact information, which made the implementation difficult for us as car manufacturers and created confusion for our consumers,” said Peter Steiner, head of Infotainment at Audi. “We are very satisfied that there now is a standard way and this will be the next important step to further enhance customer satisfaction.”
However, Carlaw cautions that Bluetooth’s success with car makers isn’t guaranteed, stating “there are still some significant barriers standing in the way of outright success for Bluetooth in this sector.
“Resolving the issues of interoperability, reducing silicon and equipment costs, and penetration into consumer devices outside of the cellular handset will all be crucial to securing a solid future for Bluetooth in the automotive environment.”
