CSR Releases the RoadRunner

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CSR has announced an initiative which will support the accelerated uptake of Bluetooth based handsfree kits, thus spreading safer and more convenient use of mobile phones by drivers around the world. The CSR RoadRunner Plug-n-Talk is the first in a series of ready engineered and fully-interoperable automotive solutions from CSR that provides OEMs and ODMs with a pre-tested and customisable package from which to create a low-cost Bluetooth handsfree kit. The package also forms a robust foundation on which more integrated and advanced handsfree functionality can be designed into new car models.

The introduction of handsfree driving legislation has also encouraged consumers to invest in handsfree solutions. In recent years a number of different options have appeared on the market, ranging from expensive, professionally installed systems and simple, wired earpieces to Bluetooth mono headsets which have experienced rapid consumer adoption. However, a common criticism of the in-car systems, which do not benefit from the mono headset model, which positions the microphone close to the user’s mouth, has been the poor audio quality in the automotive cabin environment.

The RoadRunner Plug-n-Talk system features a full hardware reference design, Bluetooth stack, profile suite, handsfree application software and CSR’s proprietary Clear Voice Capture (CVC) software. The addition of CVC to the design improves voice quality by combining advanced echo and noise suppression algorithms which allow the speaker’s voice to be more clearly extracted and transmitted to the caller at the other end of the line. In addition, it includes a demonstration of text-to-speech software from NowSpeak which has been developed specifically for CSR’s BlueCore-Multimedia technology.

The system therefore provides all the elements needed to produce a simple, plug-and-play Bluetooth handsfree kit. With additional features such as the NowSpeak Mobile text-to-speech software, more complex and superior handsfree functionality can be designed-in with features such as caller ID confirmation and voice prompts during handsfree operation. This means that drivers can completely control their calls without needing to take their hands off the steering wheel, or their eyes off the road. Furthermore, by using the configuration tool supplied, designers can change the Flash parameters and modify elements like the MMI, call handling, PIO assignment to buttons and ring tones. Thus the system allows designers to customise the look, feel and operation of the system without having to change any code or disrupt the pre-established Bluetooth device interoperability.

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