You are cordially invited to the launch of the Intelligent Vehicle Demonstrator Programme (a partnership incorporating BT, Coventry University, Advantage West Midlands, The University of Birmingham, RDM Automotive, Shoothill, Microcab Industries and Pro-Mo Media).

This unique partnership project has been developing a number of new vehicle based technologies able to both 'pull' and 'push' information/ location based content over a wireless network. The programme has been able to combine live 'online' tracking of vehicles with mini- touch screen units for use by both drivers and passengers. The programme has installed technology in a combination of vehicles such as a Smart Car, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Narrow Boat.

The Intelligent Vehicle Demonstrator Programme was funded by Advantage West Midlands under the Science City initiative. The concept was to research and develop ways in which technology could be used to enhance transportation networks within a City Centre environment. Over the past 8 months a number of applications have been built and installed within a car and a narrow boat, these applications support both remote tracking and monitoring whilst are also able to 'push' interactive content to drivers and passengers through a dedicated touch screen.

1) Remote, (online) live tracking of Vehicles - overlaid onto Microsoft Virtual Earth maps.

2) Remote tracking of Vehicle journeys, fuel, engine temperatures etc.

3) In- Vehicle touch screen able to support individual email accounts, web cams, Hands Free voice over IP Phone calls, GPS, MP4, Internet Access

4) Location based content 'push' to vehicle touch screens (to include parking information and what's on guides)

1) Allow fleet managers to track vehicles remotely (view location, routes, petrol usage etc.)

2) Allow parents to 'live' track online when the school bus will arrive outside the house or to view the location of the nearest taxi through any internet connection.

3) Provide Wireless CCTV for taxi drivers

4) Deliver free vehicle based internet phone calls within a City Centre environment

5) 'Push' interactive content to vehicles (either to support drivers with traffic and parking information or enhance a passenger’s journey through tourist and what's on information)

6) Support local authorities in tracking traffic flows

The consortium are seeking to develop a dedicated intelligent city programme able to support over 1000 users in the adoption of such technology and to integrate both tracking services and content push across all city centre public (trains, buses and taxis) and private forms of travel.