JLR to work with Intel on next-gen in-vehicle tech

Whitley, UK, November 21, 2013: Jaguar Land Rover will enhance its research and product development on future vehicle infotainment technologies through a new collaboration with Intel and the opening of a new Technology R&D centre in Portland, Oregon.

Jaguar Land Rover’s new research facility on the West Coast will help lead the development of future vehicle infotainment systems and will be responsible for collaborative work with a number of technology partners. The location of the centre has been chosen for its proximity to the technology industry hubs in Silicon Valley and Seattle, where JLR has been developing collaborative partnerships with the world’s leading IT businesses and creative and technical talent.

JLR and Intel have already begun work on multiple levels across engineering, research and marketing as the carmaker progresses its ambitions to deliver the best in-car infotainment experience. The close proximity of JLR’s new research facility to Intel Labs is enabling a collaborative relationship on research projects. Multiple programs are underway to explore and develop next-generation digital vehicle prototypes with in-vehicle cockpit experiences that connect car, device and cloud. The insights gained from the research programs along with alignment on engineering efforts will speed development on new innovative in-vehicle experiences.

Dr Wolfgang Ziebart, Jaguar Land Rover Engineering Director, said: “Our aim is to innovate and develop the ultimate user experience for our customers and by taking a collaborative approach with both technology start-ups and large organisations such as Intel, we will push the boundaries of future infotainment technology.

“Working with Intel will help both partners define and develop platforms and systems appropriate for premium global brands like Jaguar and Land Rover. This will ultimately develop unique and innovative technologies that will continue to drive the appeal of our products. Our research and the partnerships we are developing in the US will help us ensure our new products remain innovative and globally competitive.”

Elliot Garbus, vice-president and general manager, Automotive Solutions Division, Intel Corporation, said: “Consumers expect their in-vehicle experiences to be an integrated part of their digitally connected lifestyle; this requires enhanced levels of connectivity and intelligence in the car. As part of our work with Jaguar Land Rover, we are exploring innovative ways to inform, entertain and assist drivers and passengers in a safe way; speeding development of unique experiences from the car to the cloud. Our goal is to accelerate opportunities for new types of in-vehicle services and applications in the Internet of Things.”

Creating the new technology centre in Portland and the collaborative partnerships it supports will accelerate the creation of the next generation of in-car technologies, features and software for future Jaguar and Land Rover models. The Portland facility will be JLR’s first dedicated software R&D operation and will lead the optimisation for automotive applications of a range of new advanced technologies that are currently being developed on the West Coast.

The new ‘Open Software Technology Centre’ in Portland, which will open in 2014, will complement the established JLR infotainment team based at the company’s product creation facility in Gaydon, UK. It will employ a team of around 30 infotainment specialists, including 16 highly experienced software engineers. Facilities will include a multimedia creative suite, innovation spaces, development laboratory and a six-bay vehicle workshop.

In the future, the Portland technology centre will also complement the long-term research projects that will be undertaken by the JLR R&D team at the National Automotive Innovation Campus (NAIC) at the University of Warwick when it opens in 2016. These research projects include electrification, smart & connected cars and Human Machine Interface.

Image: Portland Technology Centre artist impression.