Universal, Voice-Activated, Hands-Free System Featured in Five Unique Concept
Vehicles From General Motors
LAS VEGAS, 2001 SEMA SHOW, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Highlighting the broad
appeal of its universal, voice-activated, hands-free technology, Cellport
Systems, a leading provider of in-vehicle wireless communication and
telematics systems, today showcased its Cellport 3000(TM) with Voice Command
product in five distinct, lifestyle-oriented General Motors concept vehicles
on display at the 2001 SEMA Show being held here. GM chose the Cellport
3000 with Voice Command to enhance personal communications in its Cadillac
Escalade Twin Turbo, Chevrolet Corvette Supercar, GMC Yukon 4Sight, GMC Envoy
Max and GMC Envoy Pet Pro show SUVs, enabling the drivers of these GM vehicles
operate their wireless phones using simple voice commands.
GM recognizes the inherent consumer appeal and social merits in improving
the safety, convenience and hands-free operation of drivers' phones, but
needed to solve the "guessing game" of which phone to integrate into a vehicle
line. The Universal Docking Station and phone-specific Pocket Adapters of the
Cellport 3000 with Voice Command overcome this problem by accommodating and
speech-enabling a wide variety of phones, including those from Motorola, Nokia
and other popular phone makes and models. Most hands-free car kits are
provided by phone manufacturers who support only their own wireless phones,
making it cumbersome and costly when drivers switch to another type of phone
or when drivers with different phones use the same vehicle.
"The appearance of the Cellport system in these five GM show vehicles
demonstrates how the desire for safe and simple communications with the phone
of your choice transcends vehicle size, application or lifestyle," said Doug
Daniels, vice president of automotive for Cellport Systems. "In the short
span of a year, our universal, voice-activated, hands-free technology has
moved from concept to mainstream use, delivering safer and more convenient
in-vehicle communications to a broad range of customers."
"After the tremendous reception the Cellport system received when it
premiered in two of our concept vehicles at last year's SEMA Show, we didn't
hesitate to include them in this year's roundup of next-generation concepts,"
said Jon Moss, manager, GM Special Vehicles Group.
Cost-Effective Solution for Drivers and Auto Makers
For drivers, the Cellport 3000 provides a practical and proven solution
that accommodates their current and future wireless phones, enabling
voice-activated, hands-free calls while improving their quality through
state-of-the-art DSP technology to remove background noise and echoes. The
Cellport 3000 with Voice Command uses speaker-independent voice recognition to
reduce driver distractions, enabling drivers to use simple English phrases to
operate their cell phones.
For automakers, the Cellport 3000 protects vehicle residual value by
offering a universal docking station that won't become obsolete. Goldman
Sachs Research statistics show that 79 percent of customers change phones
every 18 months, but purchase a new vehicle only every seven years.
Cellport's unique Pocket Adapters enable the Cellport 3000 to keep up with
changing handsets, changing wireless technologies and changing customer
preferences.
Reducing Driver Distraction
With legislation already passed in nineteen countries around the world,
pending in thirty-six states, enacted in New York State and set to become law
in Miami-Dade County, there is increasing interest in reducing driver
distraction while using wireless phones. Most of these laws call for drivers
to use a hands-free product like the Cellport 3000 system while operating a
vehicle.
About SEMA
The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show, the nation's
largest trade show for automotive products and accessories, has become an
international platform for automotive suppliers and manufacturers to display
and debut the latest products, technologies and innovations. The 36th annual
SEMA Show is being held from Tuesday-Friday, Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 2001, at the Las
Vegas Convention Center. The show fills more than 1.5 million square feet of
exhibition space with 1,300 exhibitors in 6,000 booths displaying products for
more than 82,000 automotive industry professionals. SEMA represents the
$24.86 billion specialty automotive industry.
About Cellport Systems
Cellport Systems is a world leader in providing in-vehicle wireless
communications and telematics systems. The company's products include the
Cellport 3000, the industry's first universal hands-free platform and the
Cellport 3000 with Voice Command. The company's substantial patent portfolio
positions it to continue its leadership position in the telematics industry.
The Cellport Systems Global Partners program is rapidly expanding Cellport
technology around the globe through unique strategic partnerships and
licensing relationships with partners in Europe, North America and Asia.
Investors in Cellport Systems include AT&T Wireless Services, Cisco Systems
and Omron Corporation. The company is privately held, with corporate
headquarters in Boulder, Colorado and regional offices in Detroit, Michigan
and Tokyo, Japan. For more information, please visit the Cellport Systems web
site at http://www.cellport.com.
SOURCE Cellport Systems
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.cellport.com
CONTACT:
Brook Fitzer of Cellport Systems,
+1-303-541-0722, ext. 286, or bfitzer@cellport.com; or Patrick
Corman of Corman Communications, +1-650-326-9648, or
patrick@cormancom.com, for Cellport Systems
|
