First line-fit automotive deployment showcases an outstanding hybrid radio experience
We are excited to have reached a significant milestone with an announcement from Audi that they are the first automotive manufacturer to adopt our open standards for their new line-fit hybrid radio platform, which debuts in the new Audi A8, and will follow soon into more cars. Audi have adopted RadioDNS’ open and interoperable standards because broadcasters and manufacturers are not locked into using any one technical provider’s proprietary solution, guaranteeing durability across the life of a vehicle.
Audi’s hybrid radio implementation is market leading for both functionality and quality of experience. There’s a single intelligent station list which always picks the best way to receive the station, removing the need for the driver to decide between FM, DAB or streaming. That intelligent decision making also means that station presets can always recall the radio station, regardless of whether the car is in the broadcast coverage area.
Reception switching between broadcast and IP can be entirely seamless as the car drives in and out of broadcast coverage, and the driver can enable it to happen automatically. The receiver adjusts time delays and audio levels to create the perfect transition without interruption.
Station logos are kept updated automatically using the RadioDNS standards, and displayed at high quality on the large high-resolution touchscreen display used for station navigation.
The internet component of the hybrid radio experience can use a SIM card embedded in the car.
Any radio station can use all the exciting new functionality simply by publishing their metadata and content using RadioDNS’ open standards, and as other manufacturers implement our standards, that same metadata and content will automatically appear in their vehicles.
Nick Piggott, Project Director of RadioDNS said – “Audi have embraced our open standards because it guarantees that every radio station can have a place in their new radio experience. We’re here to help broadcasters take advantage of that, and to help manufacturers create great implementations of hybrid radio. We encourage every radio station to take the first steps today to implement RadioDNS”
Christian Winter, Engineer at AUDI Infotainment Development, and RadioDNS Steering Board member, said – “Internet Services come and go in the consumer world. To build a Hybrid Radio which will function throughout a car’s lifecycle, we decided to use the ETSI technical standards created by RadioDNS”
Find out more at our dedicated RadioDNS + Audi A8 pages