9.12.2002
GM Europe's OnStar conducts leading edge field test

GM Europe's OnStar group conducts a field test with selected telematics services to evaluate the ACUNIA Open Telematics Framework® (OTF) as a new delivery technology.

In the 6-month study, which began in July and will conclude by year-end, GM Europe's OnStar group is evaluating a variety of new telematics services and functionality in an on-board delivery environment under real driving conditions.
The field test involves a fleet of Opel cars in Germany equipped with the ACUNIA OTF® and enables users to subscribe and unsubscribe to an "unlimited" range of information and services at any time and any place. Applications are gathered on a single Java™-based platform and run on multiple communication devices. OnStar Europe teamed up with service providers to generate and operate Java™-based services to be remotely downloaded to an in-vehicle terminal.

"We are very optimistic about the future potential of the technologies and services we are testing in this study. GM Europe's OnStar group, working closely with Opel, is testing what we think represents the future standard for in-car telematics," said Jonathan Browning, Vice President of GM Europe Sales, Marketing and Aftersales.

OnStar is GM Europe's information, communications and entertainment arm. The OnStar Service offers a seamless customer experience, as personalized services can be accessed through different channels - in the car, on the move, at home, or in the office. OnStar uses wireless communication to link the driver and vehicle to the OnStar Service Center, where OnStar Assistants provide real-time, personalized assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Via OnStar C@rWeb (a PDA in combination with a mobile phone) or OnStar WAP, drivers can also be connected with the Internet based OnStar Mobility Portal to access their personalized service suite. Currently, OnStar services include traffic information, route planning, an SOS Service Call, breakdown assistance, a city guide, sightseeing tips, and more.