RTOS brings 3D graphics to telematics

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team May 17, 2005

QNX Software Systems has demonstrated its latest innovation for automotive computing: OpenGL ES 3D technology running on the new Freescale Media5200 development platform.

QNX Software Systems has demonstrated its latest innovation for automotive computing: OpenGL ES 3D technology running on the new Freescale Media5200 development platform.

The demo, featured this week at Telematics Detroit 2005, showcases how the QNX Neutrino real-time operating system (RTOS) and the Media5200 platform can cut development costs and speed time to deployment for companies building feature-rich 3D navigation and infotainment devices.

"Until now, 3D user interfaces were simply too difficult or too costly to deploy in most automotive systems", said Andrew Poliak, Automotive Business Manager, QNX Software Systems.

"But QNX Neutrino's optimised OpenGL ES offering, coupled with state-of-the-art video hardware on the Freescale Media5200 platform, clears the path for mass deployment of high-end graphics across a wide range of in-car multimedia and navigation devices".

OpenGL ES is the emerging standard for deploying 3D graphics in resource-constrained embedded systems.

As the first RTOS vendor to implement native support for OpenGL ES, QNX is poised to enhance both the user experience and market adoption of navigation units, DVD receivers, and other graphics-intensive in-car applications.

To deliver hardware acceleration for interfaces based on OpenGL ES, the Freescale Media5200 platform integrates the new Fujitsu Coral-PA graphics processor.

In addition to delivering serious 24bit 3D graphics, the processor supports dual displays for OEMs building systems that combine front-seat applications (eg navigation) and rear-seat entertainment.

Together, the QNX Neutrino RTOS and Freescale MPC5200 processors have already provided the foundation for some of the industry's most successful in-car telematics deployments, including Audi and Hyundai Autonet.

In fact, QNX was the first OS vendor to join Freescale's mobileGT initiative, an alliance of vendors dedicated to delivering the latest telematics, navigation, and infotainment technologies to automotive suppliers and OEMs.

QNX's implementation of OpenGL ES is scheduled for commercial release in Q3 2005.