Fonix Speech Solutions Power Hitachi Semiconductor Platforms for Advanced In-Vehicle Computing Systems
May 13, 2002 08:08:00 AM ET
SALT LAKE CITY & SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2002-- The Hitachi-Fonix Combination Provides a Robust Automotive Platform and the Ability To Integrate Efficient and Powerful Speech-Enabled Applications Into Vehicle Systems
Fonix(R) Corporation (OTC BB: FONX), a leading provider of natural-user interface solutions for wireless and mobile devices, Internet and telephony systems, and vehicle telematics, and Hitachi Semiconductor (America) Inc., a leading automotive semiconductor system solution provider, announced today the availability of a comprehensive solution that combines the efficient Hitachi hardware and Fonix voice recognition software for in-vehicle computing systems. The companies also signed a joint marketing agreement that further refines the collaborative effort.
The resulting solution will integrate the Fonix Automotive Solution Package with the Hitachi 32-bit SuperH(R) RISC architecture for telematics applications. The powerful software and hardware technologies will combine to simplify the design of automotive telematics systems that offer text-to-speech and speech-recognition capabilities, a growing core requirement for next-generation automotive systems to help ensure passenger safety and efficient communications within a vehicle. The joint solution will also help speed the development of advanced in-vehicle computing systems with new audio and video functions, and additional navigation, communication, entertainment, and safety features.
"The Fonix embedded automotive voice-based technology provides a high-quality speech solution specifically tailored for telematics communication," said Tatsuo Yamamoto, Vice President of CIS/Telematics Business Unit at Hitachi Semiconductor (America) Inc. "By incorporating Fonix speech software in proven system platforms that use SuperH processors, we make it easier for service providers and automotive OEMs to design speech-enabled car infotainment system (CIS) products. We save our customers valuable development time, too."
"The Hitachi high-performance, automotive-grade SuperH RISC processors, combined with Fonix high-quality text-to-speech and automatic speech recognition, will provide a powerful platform that will give customers the most advanced speech applications available. This joint solution brings unprecedented speech capability into the automotive telematics industry. Developers can now integrate high noise-tolerant speech recognition and natural-sounding text-to-speech capabilities into their automotive products. Hitachi provides superb quality platforms with exceptional support and service, which is directly in line with our business and technical objectives", said Kurt W. Flygare, Fonix Vice President of Sales. "This relationship will allow us to continue to provide the best speech solutions to Hitachi, to developers of in-vehicle computing systems, and to all consumers."
The Fonix voice-based functions are implemented on two reference platforms that use Hitachi's SH-4 series processors: one using the SH7750 and another using the SH7751R. These 32-bit SuperH chips provide the mix of performance, connectivity, and functionality that's necessary for next-generation telematics applications. The SH-4 processors deliver over 400 million instructions per second (MIPS) and have the floating point unit (FPU) and DSP capabilities that are critical to many telematics applications.
About Hitachi Semiconductor (America) Inc.
Hitachi Semiconductor (America) Inc., a subsidiary of Hitachi America, Ltd., supports the requirements of the North American marketplace with a broad range of standard and low-power semiconductor solutions. Offering some of the industry's most popular microcontrollers and microprocessors, memory components, and RF semiconductors, among other semiconductor solutions, Hitachi provides chips to the world's leading device manufacturers within industrial, consumer and emerging market applications. Hitachi's substantial design engineering, research and development facilities in the United States help bring the world's best technology to U.S. customers. For more information, visit: www.hitachi.com/semiconductor
Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. HIT, markets and manufactures a broad range of electronics, computer systems and products, consumer electronics and semiconductors, and provides industrial equipment and services throughout North America. For more information, visit: www.hitachi.com
Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 2000 (ended March 31, 2001) consolidated sales of 8,417 billion yen ($67.9 billion(1)) The company manufactures and markets a wide range of products, including computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial equipment. For more information on Hitachi, Ltd., please visit Hitachi's Web site: global.hitachi.com
(1) At an exchange rate of 124 yen to the dollar.
About Fonix Corporation
Fonix Corporation (OTC BB: FONX) is a leading provider of natural-user interface technology and voice solutions for wireless and mobile devices, Internet and telephony systems, and vehicle telematics. Leading chip manufacturers, independent software and hardware vendors, and Internet content and service providers incorporate Fonix technology to provide their customers with an easier and more convenient user experience. Fonix products, including Text-To-Speech (TTS), Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), and Handwriting Recognition (HWR), can be implemented easily on multiple microprocessors and operating systems, and provide the most natural communication solutions available. For additional information, visit www.fonix.com or call (801) 553-6600.
Media Information, contact Whitney Seamons, (801) 553-6600, mediarel@fonix.com
Investor Information, contact Michelle Aamodt, (801) 328-0161, invrel@fonix.com
Note: The statements released by Fonix Corporation that are not purely historical are forward-looking within the meaning of the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the Company's expectations, hopes, intentions, and strategies for the future. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties that may affect the Company's business prospects and performance. It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risk factors include general economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors as discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. The Company does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release.
(1) SuperH is a U.S. registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd.
Contact Information:
Fonix Corporation
Whitney Seamons, 801/553-6600 (Media Relations)
WSeamons@fonix.com
or
Michelle Aamodt, 801/328-0161 (Investor Relations)
URL:
www.fonix.com
or
Hitachi Semiconductor (America) Inc.
Akiko Ishiyama, 408/456-2180
akiko.ishiyama@has.hitachi.com
URL:
www.hitachi.com/semiconductor
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