Digital Audio Gateway for a leading German car SI

The client was a leading car audio components and sound systems manufacturer based in Germany. The company provides cutting edge multimedia and audio solutions to the top automotive manufacturers in Europe and around the world. Furthermore, it develops the necessary communication connectivity technology that allows sound systems and external infotainment devices such as iPods and MP3-players to communicate with one another.

The client wanted to develop a premium experiential connectivity solution that would allow the end user to access multimedia content, located across various multimedia devices, from within the car. This product was to be positioned as a premium offering meant for very high-end car models, with the key objective of simplifying and reducing complexities associated with media access from these devices.

The devices that the client wanted to support were the Apple iPod, Microsoft Zune, and USB and SD memory sticks.

Aricent Solution

Aricent worked very closely with the customer to develop the required audio gateway solution. From a staffing standpoint, Aricent was able to quickly ramp up a dedicated team of engineers with deep expertise in the required technologies, delivering outstanding results in every phase of the project. The solution architecture is depicted below:

Results

The audio gateway solution has been deployed by the customer across the premium models of some of the top automotive manufacturers and now drives the multimedia infotainment systems in multiple premium car models worldwide.

Aricent’s Multimedia IPRs helped the customer considerably reduce the time-to-market by more than 50%. The use of well tested components also ensured very high quality and reliability as expected from premium in-car infotainment systems operating under relatively tough conditions. Additionally, Aricent saved 40% of the cost for the customer during the development lifecycle.

The overall engagement helped the customer introduce an innovative product with rich in-car user experience well ahead of its competitors thus helping them gain a strong foothold in the highly competitive European in-car infotainment market.