OnStar Verizon Demonstration

Press Release


ONSTAR LEVERAGES THE VERIZON WIRELESS 4G LTE NETWORK TO DRIVE THE FUTURE OF IN-VEHICLE SERVICES
OnStar shows prototype applications for entertainment, communications and safety based on 4G LTE mobile broadband

LAS VEGAS, DETROIT and BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – From the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), OnStar today unveiled a demonstration of prototype applications for what future in-vehicle entertainment, communications and safety could look like when taking advantage of the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network.

OnStar has equipped a stationary Buick LaCrosse research vehicle to show these applications in the Verizon Wireless booth. Among the innovative services made possible by combining the power of OnStar with the speed of 4G:

Vehicle monitoring. Cameras mounted throughout the interior and exterior of the car allow remote viewing of what is happening in and around your parked vehicle through a smart phone or PC.

Impact detection. The research vehicle has the ability to send out live video to secure servers in the cloud from each of its six cameras placed around the exterior and interior of the vehicle. This is triggered by events around the car, or by an application on your smart phone. When an impact is detected, such as a parking lot fender-bender, the vehicle transmits a video clip – making it possible to identify offending drivers.

Voice Portal. You can safely connect through voice commands to call up top social web sites such as YouTube, Twitter, Wikipedia and music with Verizon VCAST on the in-vehicle display.

Home monitoring and control. Keep an eye on your home by connecting to security cameras in real time through the 4Home service. Control the thermostat, lights and other home systems from your vehicle – preset scenes allow you to condition your home when you leave, before you return, or when you're leaving for an extended period of time.

Electronic User's Guide. Learn how to operate and maintain your vehicle through videos streamed on demand to the in vehicle display.

Video chat. Make a video call using Skype to connect with family, friends or colleagues.

Traffic view. A voice-operated navigation system goes beyond calculating the best route by displaying live traffic-cam images from TrafficLand to spot congestion before you get stuck in a back-up.

"The true broadband speed of the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network gives our engineers the freedom to re-imagine the world of connected in-vehicle services of the future," said OnStar President Chris Preuss. "While we haven't decided yet which of these demonstration features OnStar will offer, or when, these prototype applications show just some of what's possible when we combine our 15 years experience in developing safe secure and leading edge connected mobility solutions with the speed and agility of Verizon Wireless's 4G LTE network. Any new future services OnStar might offer will meet our high standards for safety – making sure that drivers' hands are on the wheel and their eyes are on the road."

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network, launched in December 2010, is the fastest, largest and most advanced network in the United States, providing speeds 10 times faster than existing 3G networks. Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network currently reaches one-third of all Americans, with plans to expand the network to the company's entire coverage area over the next three years.

OnStar's prototype applications are the result of collaboration with Verizon Wireless' LTE Innovation Center. The LTE Innovation Center, established in 2008, provides an environment for diverse companies to work together to develop innovative products that leverage 4G LTE technology.