Mobile Phone Facility with Motorola Universal Interface Now Available in Various Mercedes-Benz Automobile Series

Hannover, Germany, CeBIT – 14 March 2003 -- With the introduction of a new product that will be available in Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the CLK, SL, C and M series from June 2003, the automotive division of Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) has once again proven its competence in the development and supply of high-quality automobile electronics.

For the first time, Mercedes will be providing a Universal Handy Interface (in brief: UHI) developed by Motorola. This will make it possible to use mobile telephones from various leading manufacturers in one vehicle. The mobile is placed in a special cradle which is connected with the telephone control unit. When purchasing a new mobile phone, customers can obtain the appropriate cradle from Mercedes-Benz Accessories and exchange it easily themselves.

This means that the mobile phone is linked with the on-board network and can be operated using the multi-functional steering wheel, hands-free system and COMAND. An additional display system (combi-display) on the dashboard ensures optimum operating comfort. Reading and editing SMS messages is problem-free using the COMAND operating and display system. The hands-free system operates using the vehicle's on-board audio system which provides improved speech quality thanks to the integrated microphone underneath the interior roof light.

Installation of the Universal Handy Interface into other Mercedes-Benz automobile series is planned for 2004.

 

Do you know if this new kit can be retro fitted into a 2003 clk...
or a 99 clk???

 

The technology used by the Motorola UHI was developed by a company called Cellport (www.cellport.com). You can get system from Cellport and, with installation, it will run you about $500 or so. You will get the radio mute feature, but the Cellport system will not interface with the car's electronics. Still, a great system that can be used with most any cellphone.

 

As of right now, there is no publically announced plan to bring this functionality to the US market.

Consider that the current Nokia-based solution in use in the European market allows use of a wide variety of Nokia phones, yet the US market gets a choice of one phone and no retrofit to older models.

-s-

 

Pity if it does not come to the States. Personally, I would favor the aftermarket Cellport system over the current V60 system on the basis of the unrestricted service provider selection with Cellport vs limited service providers with the V60 and the ability to upgrade phones in the future without changing the equipment hardwired into the car. Not as integrated as the V60, though.

I'm having a Cellport install done in May, as soon as the Nextel i90 cradle is released.

 

Cellport is OWNED by Motorola. They make cradles that adjust to car kits, so if you buy a Mortorola phone, and then switch to Nokia, it will still work.

The Mercedes kit by Motorola works only with the v.60 because of the software. Also, the Mercedes wiring is all fiber optics. Change that, and you lose functions.

 

Hi Taurian,

Motorola licensed Cellport's technology beginning in mid 2002. Cellport's technology was so advanced compared to similar technologies available in the marketplace that it was overwhelmed with OEM orders for custom tailored products that it could not supply. To meet demand, Cellport entered into the Motorola licensing agreement (and several others as well). After considering the outright sale of manufacturing rights to its technology, Cellport chose instead to employ contract manufacturers to meet its manufacturing demands.

If your interested in reading about the challenges in managing explosive growth, reviewing the press releases of Cellport really provides an interesting case study.

The link below is to a press release discussing the Motorola/Cellport licensing agreement.

Your absolutely right about the Cellport aftermarket kits not having all of the functionality of the MB supplied V60. Given the many tales of woe owners of cars with OEM Timeport or even older analog phones have posted, the tradeoff here is some functionality today for the ability to upgrade phones tomorrow.


http://www.itsa.org/ITSNEWS.NSF/9a6e...c?OpenDocument

 

sturtbr,

Thank you, very infomative. I will read the article. I just ordered the Motorola kit for my S500, to be delivered June 1. I am always on the phone due to my job, and the functions are great.

But, I know I'll have a headache down the road. I feel my options are small. I went to my local shop, and we tried to fit the cellport holster inside the armrest. Not.

Taurian.