Meta System Spa and Wavecom have announced that they are collaborating to develop two joint automotive telematics solutions. The companies are both suppliers to the automotive market: Meta System, a MetaSystem Group company specializes in research, development and production of electronics applied to advanced safety systems for motor vehicle market, while Wavecom dominates the market for wireless communication solutions for the automotive industry.

The first joint solution is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) platform for automotive telematics, with particular focus on the following functionalities: eCall (emergency call), stolen vehicle tracking, remote diagnostics and fleet management. A variant of the platform will integrate HSDPA/HSUPA technologies with the Wavecom Q26 Extreme product. The platform will permit high-speed connectivity and targets high-end telematics systems. Both variants are expected to launch in the third quarter of 2010.

In parallel, Meta System and Wavecom are jointly developing an optimized telematics on-board unit for the insurance market (Pay-Per-Use, Pay-As-You-Drive, Ecodriving, e-call and RoadCharging). The same unit can be used for tracking services or emergency calls. Customers will benefit from a considerable reduction in terms of size and weight with improved performance, easier, faster assembly, and the increased reliability afforded by the embedded SIM solution. The unit is expected to be on the market by the second half of 2009.

These two new projects come alongside an already existing collaboration between Meta System and Wavecom. Meta System is currently producing an on-board unit for the insurance market using the Wavecom Wireless Microprocessor(R), an industrial microprocessor with wireless modem functionality. The unit helps insurance companies reduce their repair and replacement costs. It provides undisputable accident data, which in turn reduces insurance fraud. It also enables the tracking of stolen vehicles, thereby improving the recovery rate.