Munch, Germany - Always reachable, always up to date, constant access to the global information network - this is part and parcel of the lifestyle characteristic of successful people today. Even with a mobile phone and the Internet, communication between different pieces of equipment still requires extra technology and organization which is cumbersome. A new technology by the name of Bluetooth is now about to simplify the situation.  

All information connections which hitherto been made rather awkwardly by means of cables will in future be made without them - computers, printers, mobile phones, laptops and organizers will soon talk to each other by radio signal. This is made possible by means of a chip which can transmit voices and data over short distances without the use of cables. It will be cheap, internationally usable, have a high rate of transmission with a low degree of energy consumption, have the capacity to correct transmission errors and provide safe encoding functions for sensitive documents. 

With this technology, BMW Group intends to make the automobile into a mobile information platform. The installation of a Bluetooth chip allows simple connections to be made from navigation systems, audio systems and car telephones to other consumer appliances such as laptops, mobile phones and organizers. One of the great benefits is the independence from any particular manufacturer. "The lifetime of an automobile is much longer than that of a digital appliance," says Burkhard Göschel, Development Director of the Group. "With the Bluetooth standard, the customer can buy a new piece of equipment at any time and use it in his car without any additional installations."  

The idea for this technological miracle was created in 1994 by the Swedish company Ericsson Mobile Communications. Research results were so encouraging that five companies with the relevant expertise got together in February 1995 to set up a "Special Interest Group " (SIG), which now numbers1,883 companies. In March 1999 a standard was agreed on for Bluetooth. "This kind of plan can only function on a global scale if all interfaces are uniform throughout the world", explains Burkhard Göschel. For example, a frequency has been agreed on for Bluetooth which has international clearance. 

The name of Bluetooth was chosen by the inventors of this cable-free technology in order to honour one of their ancestors: the Viking King Harald Blåtand dedicated himself to the unity of the Scandinavian peoples in the 10th century. The unity of a cable-free network thus commemorates his achievements. In fact, the word "Blåtand" does not mean "blue tooth" at all but "dark-skinned, tall man". Nonetheless, the English expression Bluetooth has now become established worldwide. 

The technology which Bluetooth makes possible could make all our lives a lot easier. For example, a mobile telephone with the appropriate technology could be used at home as a cordless telephone at regular network call rates, away from home as a mobile phone and within range of another Bluetooth telephone as a walkie-talkie free of charge. Or: a Bluetooth headphone set automatically makes the connection to mobile phone, laptop, home telephone or car. Surfing on the Internet becomes easier too: one can get into cyberspace via laptop, telephone or mobile phone without any cables. In particular, Bluetooth comes into its own in the office: the manager no longer has to check his calendar with the secretary in the morning, the sales rep will not have to update his customer orders from the company network, the customer consultant will not have to constantly compare her telephone book with the latest lists. With Bluetooth, all computers connect up with each other as soon as you enter the office, taking care of all these tasks on their own. And at conferences, participants can exchange documents between their computers without cable connections. 

But it is in the automobile that the Bluetooth user comes to enjoy vast freedom. "The possibilities of communication are huge here, both for work and private use," says Burkhard Göschel. "For example, in the automobile you can:·exchange travel route data and additional travel information between the navigation system and a laptop. You can then be reached outside the vehicle.·make telephone numbers and addresses from the organiser database available via the car telephone or the navigation system,·update appointments and·use the hands-free system of the mobile phone without cable connections,·or the kids can watch TV on the rear seat, listen to music on headphones or surf the Internet whilst father is accessing the latest share information." 

In addition to customer use, Bluetooth technology also offers further applications in all areas of the automobile trade, from manufacture to repair. "If every car has a Bluetooth chip, it can be constantly tracked during production," says Burkhard Göschel. "We fit every car individually according to customer wishes. The logistics required for this to happen could be run through Bluetooth in future. The chip could stay in the car and take on further important functions. " It could simplify final production tests, for example, help the dealer in his stock-taking process and support diagnosis for later repairs. Wherever interfaces for cars are different today, Bluetooth will introduce a uniform standard. 

When will the first cars fitted with Bluetooth come off the production line? "It will probably take at least another two years," says Burkhard Göschel. "The ambitious schedule which the electronics industry set itself has not been kept to. We shall have to wait a little while yet before the BMW Group can offer mobile communication platforms with Bluetooth."  

(August 28, 2000)