Annual Fully Networked Car Show Highlights Standards' Role in Automobile Innovations

The Fully Networked Car, an annual event organized by the World Standards Cooperation (WSC), put a spotlight on the latest developments in technology and network requirements for electric cars earlier this month.

Held on March 3-4, 2010, at the Geneva International Motor Show, the show brought together the key players involved in the development of standards to discuss the current and future role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in motor vehicles.

The WSC is a partnership between the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Discussions at the workshop centered on the car industry's new challenges and major changes, such as responding quickly and innovatively to the pressures brought about as a result of the 2008-2009 economic crisis, as well as the call for sustainability in the industry at the economic, environmental, and societal levels.

Opening remarks were given by Rob Steele, ISO Secretary-General, on behalf of the WSC. Mr. Steele emphasized the importance of standardization, not only for cars, but also for the greater world around them in supporting innovation in the automobile industry.

"There is the need for standardization of essential technologies to provide the solid base for further innovation and the economies of scale for commercialization of technologies, such as batteries," said Mr. Steele. "Most interestingly of all is the urgent need to consider the interoperability of all of this technology not only in the car, but in the wider infrastructure that is needed to support this revolution."

For more information on the Fully Networked Car workshop, see the ISO news release.

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Who is doing the work?

ISO TC 22, Road vehicles

• SAE International is the ANSI-accredited U.S. TAG Administrator

ISO TC 204, Intelligent transport systems

• Chaired by Michael Noblett of Connexis
• The Electronic Industries Alliance and the Telecommunications Industry Association together serve as the ANSI-accredited U.S. TAG Administrator

ISO TC 207, Environmental management

• The American Society for Quality serves as the ANSI-accredited U.S. TAG Administrator

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IEC TC 21, Secondary cells

• Battery Council International is the U.S. National Committee (USNC) approved TAG Administrator

IEC TC 22, Power electronic systems and equipment

• The National Electrical Manufacturers Association is the USNC approved TAG Administrator

IEC TC 69, Electric road vehicles and electric industrial trucks

• Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is the USNC approved TAG Administrator

IEC TC 79, Alarm systems

• The National Fire Protection Association is the USNC approved TAG Administrator

IEC TC 100, Audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment

• Chaired by Mark Hyman of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
• The Consumer Electronics Association is the USNC approved TAG Administrator

IEC TC 105, Fuel cell technologies

• CSA America Inc. is the USNC approved TAG Administrator

IEC CISPR/SC D, Electromagnetic disturbances related to electric/electronic equipment on vehicles and internal combustion engine powered devices

• The U.S. holds the Chairmanship (Poul Andersen)
• SAE International is the USNC approved TAG Administrator

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The coordinator of U.S. input for ITU activities is the U.S. Department of State.