To keep to its commitment to bring automotive customers the first 4G broadband connectivity, the audio and infotainment leader HARMAN teamed up with Sierra Wireless, the leader in the field of mobile computing and wireless M2M.

In a press release, HARMAN said that it will support Sierra Wireless (News - Alert) AirPrime intelligent embedded modules for LTE networks to offer robust in-vehicle wireless connectivity. This will help address the growing demand for high bandwidth telematics, navigation, and online infotainment applications.

The AirPrime modules also leverage broadly adopted applications programming interfaces (APIs) to encourage a growing ecosystem of software providers' solutions for connectivity, location and manageability.

The solution will allow users access data wirelessly at download speeds of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds up to 50 Mbps on LTE (News - Alert) networks. At this speed, the drivers are expected to enjoy a true multi-faceted media, office and online experience within the vehicle.

The infortainment features will include real-time mapping and traffic updates, a variety of new services for passengers such as online services, dynamic loaded applications and content, gaming, streaming video, and full internet access that can be shared among multiple devices.

HARMAN Chief Technology Officer and Co-President, Sachin Lawande noted in a statement: “HARMAN is leading the industry to bring the best ‘always on,’ ultra-fast connectivity experience to enable the rich multimedia applications and information systems that drivers and passengers are coming to expect. Just as HARMAN is meeting today's demands for integrated navigation and infotainment solutions, we are pleased to work with Sierra Wireless to address the emerging requirements of automakers for an increasingly connected car.”

“We are excited about the potential for 4G/LTE in the connected car, with its ability to provide a richer multimedia experience that can increase both safety and convenience for passengers and drivers.This collaboration is a first step in realizing this potential, and we are thrilled to work with HARMAN, a recognized industry leader, to bring these solutions to life,” Chief Technology Officer for Sierra Wireless Philippe Guillemette maintained.

In addition to its 4G/LTE collaboration with Sierra Wireless, HARMAN helped lead the expansion of the ngConnect Program to China in July 2010, with a public demonstration of an LTE Connected Car during the Shanghai World Expo.

Through a separate release, HARMAN announced that its cloud-based Aha Radio platform has been selected by Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. to be an integrated feature in their new AVIC-X930BT and AVIC-Z130BT in-dash navigation products which will connect driving consumers to the world around them with on-demand, interactive, personalized radio.