(Nikkei BP Group)
(No.1 High-Tech News Site in Japanese)
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| Japan Aims to Complete Intelligent Transport Systems Architecture
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October 21, 1998 (SEOUL) -- Five ministries and agencies presented an
interim report on Japan's overall architecture of intelligent transport
systems (ITS) at the 5th World Congress on ITS held Oct. 12 through
Oct. 16 in Korea.
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They include the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the Ministry
of Construction and the National Police Agency.
The system architecture is a framework that organizes correlations among
various technologies used to configure an integrated approach to ITS.
It will help identify the general picture of an ITS, including interaction
among users (drivers), vehicles, roadways, and information centers as
well as areas where technology standards are required.
However, the report did not disclose details of the actual architecture.
Such details are expected to be announced in March 1999, when the framework
is completed. After such an announcement by the government, the concerned
ministries will seek common ground with manufacturers and other industry
actors. An official at the Ministry of Construction said that at least
six months will be required to obtain such consent.
The United States configured its system architecture as of June 1996.
In April, European officials started working on designing their system
architecture.
Various automakers and auto-related equipment makers in Japan have voiced
their opinions about the interim report.
"We cannot yet see any details. It is difficult for us to see how it
will affect our future equipment development. However, we assume there
will be no strong impact on automakers," said an official at an automaker.
"Each producer is working on equipment development based on their individual
policies. We will encounter trouble if we find that the details that
are to be announced differ greatly from the current direction of development,"
an official at an auto equipment maker said.
However, the ministries and agencies have said that there is no cause
for worry.
"The architecture is not mandatory on makers. They are not necessarily
required to follow the architecture in their equipment development efforts.
We have been trying to set up the architecture by taking into account
the opinions of producers. It will not differ greatly from the policies
and directions of the makers," a government official said.
Related stories:
� Toshiba Shows Car Navigation System Using Agent Technology
� Nissan Motor Exhibits Intelligent Concept Car in Korea
� Intelligent Transport System Congress Convenes in Seoul
� 'Connected' Car Becomes a Reality
(Nikkei Electronics)
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