Elevating automotive tech into consumer driving experiences

HARMAN ExP solutions will feature a specially-curated collection of connected car, audio and service technologies to create experiences that deliver specific driver benefits, such as well-being, enjoyment, social connection, accomplishment and more.

“Instead of just creating technologies for a vehicle, we’re designing experiences for drivers and passengers,” said Dinesh Paliwal, HARMAN President and CEO.

“With the HARMAN ExP Integrated Solution Suite, we are helping OEMs create consumer-centric driving experiences by skillfully developing customised technology bundles that meet virtually any need. By building with the end experience in mind, we will deliver on consumer expectations today - while ensuring OEMs make strategic and future-ready technological investments for tomorrow.”

In addition to its diverse collection of connected vehicle and audio solutions, HARMAN will leverage expertise from its uniquely blended heritage in automotive and technology, strategic partnerships with providers like Tencent and Spotify and its understanding of consumer experience to design customised HARMAN ExP solutions for OEMs.

By taking an experience-driven approach instead of focusing solely on individual technologies, automotive manufacturers will benefit from advanced personalisation and technological synergies - while drivers will enjoy a connected experience built purposefully for their needs.

At CES 2020, HARMAN will display the following HARMAN ExP bundle packages as examples to demonstrate how OEMs can partner with HARMAN to bring connected experiences to life in the vehicle: 

Advanced driver assistance bundle

By blending cloud, ADAS and telematics technologies, HARMAN will demonstrate a bundled solution that delivers enhanced awareness to keep both drivers and pedestrians safe, while ensuring those in the vehicle can still stay connected to what matters.

This solution features awareness technologies - Blind Spot Warning, Directional Sound Steering and the new Vehicle-to-Pedestrian ADAS use case, which forewarns drivers and pedestrians to potential safety conflicts through the use of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology.

To deliver a complete safety experience, this demo also includes assistance technologies like Virtual Personal Assistant (VPA) integration through the HARMAN Ignite Platform, which enables voice messaging, navigation, media selection and more.

As a result, the driver and passenger will experience heightened awareness, even during busy commutes, while staying connected to their news, podcasts, phone calls and more.

Hyper productivity bundle

To deliver an experience centered on personalisation and productivity, HARMAN has bundled cloud technologies - backed by a customisable partner ecosystem, core services and rich audio capabilities into a solution that helps consumers stay seamlessly connected to their digital lifestyles.

The HARMAN Marketplace, a collection of apps and services, inspires virtually endless personalisation and in-vehicle productivity. From enabling diverse media like podcasts, music and other unique content through partners like Spotify, to integrating crowd-source point-of-interest functionality through applications like Yelp and TripAdvisor, drivers and passengers have greater freedom to personalise a connected driving experience that meets their specific productivity needs.

The HARMAN Ignite Marketplace also integrates with leading navigation and voice solutions, including region-specific providers, allowing OEMs to deliver hands-free services through virtual assistants - enabling safe, always-on access to third-party content globally.

In addition, HARMAN will continue to expand the HARMAN Ignite App Store through the integration of new solutions from Salesforce, which will deliver Customer Relationship Management (CRM) functionality across marketing, sales, commerce and service.

Multi-modal experience bundle

With more ways to roam than ever before - from rideshares, rentals or simply borrowing a car - HARMAN’s Multi-Modal Experience Bundle demonstrates the future hyper-connected transportation. As our mobile phones continue becoming the centre of our connected lives, ensuring digital lifestyles can be seamlessly transferred to the vehicle is increasingly critical to the automotive experience.

HARMAN’s Multi-Modal Experience Bundle will leverage Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology to enable easy vehicle access and connectivity but also significant personalisation. For example, as a passenger or driver approaches a vehicle, a UWB token will initiate and triangulate their location via 5G cellular connectivity, unlocking the doors and initiating personal preferences.

The token can then transmit to the HARMAN Ignite cloud where the individual’s unique profile is unlocked, enabling connection to personal contacts, services, media content and location-based services.

As a result, the driver will enjoy instant access to personalised features and vehicle functionality, while equipping OEMs with the ability deliver hyper-tailored and regular fresh content to their customers.

EV Plus+ solution bundle

Designed specifically for the fast-growing electric vehicle segment, EV Plus+ Solutions overcomes challenges unique to EVs and offer consumers a no-compromise level of entertainment, communication and comfort, flexibly and sustainably, without impacting range performance.

Thanks to HARMAN’s revolutionary acoustic engineering and Ecotect system design, performance is achieved with reduced weight, complexity and power consumption when compared to a traditional system.

What’s more, personalised in-vehicle audio, entertainment and communication features are instantly accessible and upgradable at the touch of a button via the new Audio Marketplace, powered by HARMAN Ignite. This open-ended OTA offering enables a new level of personalisation and flexibility for the in-car experience throughout the life of the vehicle.

Connecting the unconnected bundle

Virtually any car on the road today has the potential to become a safe, connected vehicle. In the Connecting the Unconnected Bundle demonstration, HARMAN will showcase a suite of solutions that work together to quickly and easily equip vehicles currently on the road with the latest in connected car functionalities. This includes SmartAuto connectivity, an OBD device that delivers upgrades like WiFi, driver and vehicle analytics, remote operation and access to applications and services.

Similarly, the SmartAuto Dash Cam equips vehicles with forward collision warning and incident management, while the SmartAuto Headunit offers a large display and modernised user interface. Lastly, to maintain pace with evolving mobile technology, the Connecting the Unconnected Bundle will also showcase SmartAuto Wireless Charging, which features a sleek design and a smart way to keep devices charged while on-the-go.

Starting today, OEMs can leverage the HARMAN ExP Integrated Solution Suite to develop and deploy customised technology solutions as bundles that work seamlessly together to enable cohesive consumer experiences.

By implementing automotive technologies as complete solutions, instead of one-off features, HARMAN has taken the guesswork out of creating connected vehicles and made it easier for OEMs to meet consumer needs while personalising experiences to drive added value and brand affinity.