Bluetooth deployments in automobiles expected to grow 300%

Despite Bluetooth’s growth and success in the mobile market, the technology faces challenges as it moves into the automobile space, according to a new report from IMS Research.
The firm noted Bluetooth is available in about 500 million handsets worldwide and Bluetooth technology handsfree profiles were featured into more than 4 million new car head units worldwide. Bluetooth HFP deployments in cars are expected to grow 300% during the next five years, said the firm.
Yet automotive manufactures appear lukewarm about Bluetooth technology. Some automotive specialists, said IMS, say Bluetooth technology is causing problems for manufacturers during the design cycle due to difficulties keeping up with rapid technology specification updates. The average design cycle for a car is between four and five years, said IDG, while Bluetooth technology specifications have been upgraded three times in a period of 18 months.
IMS noted, however, that all Bluetooth technology specifications have backward compatibility and hardware could be made upgradeable to resolve design cycle issues.