Motorola unveils strategy to provide embedded Bluetooth computing
solutions; Bluetooth solutions now in development for stationary me
[M2 Communications, Inc.]
e-topics.com
M2 PRESSWIRE via NewsEdge Corporation : Motorola Computer Group, a business unit of Motorola, Inc., today announced its strategy to provide Bluetooth wireless technology for the first time on embedded infrastructures running on a choice of three operating systems (Linux, VxWorks and Windows 2000) and two architecture processors (PowerPC and Intel).
This wide computing choice, offered on Motorola's flexible and powerful embedded Bluetooth computing platforms, will help provide the infrastructure needed for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to add wireless communication capabilities to stationary equipment including MRI machines, desktop printers and copiers. Motorola's platform provides OEMs with a one-stop- shop Bluetooth solution. As a result, equipment manufacturers gain a competitive edge with faster time-to-market, decreased material costs and increased revenue opportunities.
Motorola is a leader in the development and implementation of Bluetooth wireless technology, with an extensive company-wide roadmap of Bluetooth products and as a member of the Promoter group, which leads the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Motorola's commitment to integrating innovative solutions will help spread the adoption of Bluetooth wireless technology. With Motorola's new embedded Bluetooth computing solutions, equipment manufacturers will now have a wider choice in the computing platforms they use to design Bluetooth capabilities, without having to design and manufacture these platforms themselves. They will also be able to get the latest Bluetooth products to market faster by purchasing the embedded computing platforms already configured for their needs.
"The Internet's phenomenal growth has been the driving force of the wireless network, and we can expect to repeat this growth phenomenon with Bluetooth," said Dr. Jeff Harris, director of research and system architecture, cross- industry business unit, Motorola Computer Group. "In fact, US analysts estimate that the total market potential for Bluetooth wireless technology infrastructure could approach 100 million units per year by 2005. Our customers who are building equipment in the medical, printing and imaging markets see Bluetooth wireless technology as a competitive advantage and a way to set themselves apart in their industries. Over the next year, we will work closely with them to develop our platforms to their equipment specifications to help bring these products to market."
Motorola will be exhibiting an embedded single-board computer enabled with Bluetooth wireless technology at the Embedded Systems Conference in San Francisco, USA, April 10-12, in booth 1302. Motorola will demonstrate printing and remote access to the user interface of an embedded computer over a Bluetooth wireless link. Other possible Bluetooth applications lie in the medical market. For example, Bluetooth wireless technology can be included in diagnostic equipment to help provide physicians with immediate access to their patients' test or treatment information. Patient information can be wirelessly transferred to the stationary diagnostic machine, eliminating manual input errors, increasing patient accuracy and providing the doctor added convenience.
"As these medical equipment and printer applications demonstrate, Bluetooth wireless technology goes way beyond traditional wireless networking," said Jorge Magalhaes, vice president and director of marketing, cross-industry business unit, Motorola Computer Group. "Simply put, our infrastructure solutions are the other side of your Bluetooth connection. We're excited to help take Bluetooth to another level by enabling OEMs to help develop these 'back-end' Bluetooth devices in their stationary equipment." With this new initiative, Motorola will collaborate with OEMs throughout the year and anticipates the first Bluetooth wireless technology platforms to be available early in 2002.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Bluetooth
Bluetooth wireless technology is set to revolutionise the personal connectivity market by providing freedom from wired connections. It is a specification for a small-form factor, low-cost radio solution providing links between mobile computers, mobile phones and other portable handheld devices and connectivity to the Internet. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), comprised of leaders in the telecommunications, computing, and network industries, is driving development of the technology and bringing it to market. The Bluetooth SIG includes Promoter group companies 3Com, Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Lucent, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, and more than 2000 adopter companies.
About Motorola:
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 2000 were $37.6 billion.
Motorola has been operating in the UK since 1967 and employs more than 10,000 people in research, development, manufacturing and marketing. The company is the largest electronics employer in Scotland and is one of the UK's top ten exporters. Sales in 2000 were GBP3.9 billion, of which GBP3.2 billion was exports.
About MCG:
Motorola Computer Group (MCG) is the world's leading supplier of business-to- business embedded computing platforms for use in telecommunications, network storage, imaging, medical equipment, and semiconductor production and test equipment applications. It offers design,
manufacturing, and systems integration capabilities, as well as a broad range of services and training. MCG is a business unit of the Motorola Integrated Electronic Systems Sector (IESS). IESS provides the DigitalDNA technology that helps make its customers' products smarter, safer, simpler and more synchronised. www.motorola.com/computer
<<M2 PRESSWIRE -- 04/09/01>>
CONTACT: Mat Sears, Firefly
Tel: +44 (0)207 386 1490
e-mail: mat.sears@firefly.co.uk
Ken Newton, Motorola
Tel: +44 (0)1628 763 297
e-mail: kenn@uk.europe.mcd.mot.com |
