Car PCs: Feature-packed, all-in-one units emerge

China-made car PCs have evolved into infotainment systems that support various applications, including GPS, multimedia player, rear-view camera, Internet and wireless communications, since suppliers ventured into the line in 2007. As a high-end device, such products are two or three times the price of car DVD players, translating to more profits for manufacturers.

Companies involved in the line believe that all-in-one units are the future in car entertainment. Unlike other segments in vehicle electronics, however, the category has yet to capture an established market base, and is hampered by high technological barriers and its relative infancy.

Maximizing the car space allotted for integrated devices is also a challenge. In addition, there is currently no dominant solution and accepted industry standard for the product.

Even so, the manufacturing base continues to grow as more companies join the line. There are now 10 to 15 car PC suppliers in China with mass-production capability. Most come from related electronics industries such as car DVD players and display monitors.

Rather than changing immediately their core categories, these companies are first strengthening their capability to turn out car PCs.

Most China suppliers are midsize but there are also large enterprises, including Wuhan Bluestar Technology Co. Ltd, Zhangzhou Lilliput Electronic Technology Co. Ltd and East Fund International Ltd, for which the line is the product development priority. Some customize car PCs according to clients’ requirements. Most offer only one or two models, which generally have standard solutions.

Close to 90 percent of China’s output in the line is shipped overseas, mostly to North, Central and South America, Australia, Russia, and the Middle East. These are usually targeted at the aftermarket.

The provinces of Guangdong and Fujian are the major hubs.

Car PCs from China come in 1 and 2-DIN versions compatible with different operating systems. Special software applications for in-vehicle use such as Mobile Office and Media Player are usually supported.

As regards hardware, the usual specifications are a built-in disc loader such as that for DVDs, and internal flash memory, SSD or HDD. Peripheral interface includes USB port and SD card slot. Radios, GPS and Bluetooth connectivity are among the add-ons.

Processors usually come from Intel, Samsung and Via. Advanced models support more functions such as a rearview camera system, digital or analog TV, video games, steering wheel control and OBD diagnostic information. Wireless connectivity, including Wi-Fi, GPRS/CDMA and 3G, is also integrated in some models for realtime information about traffic and vehicle location.

Most 1-DIN car PCs are based on the industrial PC structure. They have no monitor but have stable performance under harsh operating environments, and are more resistant to the shocks and vibrations inside a moving vehicle.

In contrast, 2-DIN models have built-in monitors with GUI and are easily customized. Displays are usually touchscreen and are 6.5 to 7in in size.

East Fund’s car PCs use the 2-DIN structure, enabling the company to provide various housing types for models designed for Honda, Toyota and Hyundai cars.

Wuhan Bluestar and Zhangzhou Lilliput adopt both 1 and 2-DIN in designing their car PCs, although they are focusing on the latter for their new models. Wuhan Bluestar has developed car PCs for Ford, Toyota and Chery vehicles.

Zhangzhou Lilliput has released the 2-DIN model TC-6901, a universal car PC that supports a rear-view system and a Bluetooth handsfree kit.

This article "Car PCs: Feature-packed, all-in-one units emerge" is originally posted in Global Sources.

Wuhan Bluestar Technology CO.,LTD.
Zhangzhou Lilliput Electronics Co., Ltd