Press Release

Hands free in-car mobile calls

Plextek in first for mobile communications industry

Plextek, the independent electronics design consultancy, has designed a hands-free module that will enable users to make and receive mobile calls through their car radio. In a first for the mobile communications industry, this module will plug directly into the car audio. The device will operate in much the same way as the current hands-free sets, but it will no longer be necessary to have any physical connection between the phone and the car. Whether the phone is in the car boot, glove compartment, or even in a handbag, the design means that users will still be able to make phone calls through their car audio.

Plextek has designed the small electronics module for installation on to the car dashboard. To provide the hands free capability Plextek's client, one of the world's leading suppliers of audio equipment to car manufacturers worldwide, has now modified its car audio to enable it to integrate with the Plextek-designed module that will sit on the dashboard as a separate item. The device has all the functions associated with a hands-free kit, including a send and receive button (with a visual alert for incoming calls), and volume control. The module has a high quality full digital echo cancellation for natural sounding speech and demonstrates one of the best applications of a Bluetooth radio.

Installation of the kit will be considerably cheaper than with current hands-free kits, principally because the car audio is already connected and parts can be reused, thus avoiding duplication of components.

The new equipment will be available both as a consumer and OEM item. Plextek's client's particular car audio equipment is already fitted as standard in many cars and now, on request from customers, car manufacturers will be able to integrate the hands free option with the vehicle carrying the new car audio. Also, this new car audio system, incorporating the new hands free addition, will be on the shelves for customers to buy directly for installation into their own cars.

Ian Murphy, Plextek's technical director said: "We welcome the opportunity to work on this groundbreaking project. Our client's rigorous choice of partners is based on those companies that can deliver leading, advanced technology, cost effectiveness as well as the design of a product capable of going into manufacture. Therefore, being chosen as a partner for this project for a world-leading car audio supplier is a clear recognition of Plextek's expertise and renown in electronic design.

The hands free kit is likely to be on the open market in the third quarter of 2003.

Released 3/06/2003