Frost & Sullivan’s Automotive & Transportation group will moderate a panel discussion at the Telematics Detroit 2008 event on May 22. The panel discussion aims to explore the growth opportunities, trends and new application potential within the rear-seat entertainment system market. Today’s vehicles have evolved into mobile infotainment platforms that support rich multimedia entertainment systems for rear-seat occupants. Current systems support multiple audio/video sources, multiple displays and storage-media and broadcast. While these systems initially targeted large family vehicles, the advent of headrest-back mounted displays has enabled rear-seat entertainment systems to transcend all vehicle segments. Frost & Sullivan estimates that the North American market generated revenues in excess of $2 billion from original equipment and aftermarket systems in 2007, with annual growth in recent years exceeding 12 percent. “The advent of mobile satellite television, mobile broadband and portable video devices offer new opportunities for enriching the infotainment experience for rear-seat occupants and supporting the market’s growth,” notes Frost & Sullivan Automotive & Transportation Research Director Veerender Kaul. “The entire range of new applications and features must be carefully evaluated for their potential for driver distraction, ease of use, and consumers’ willingness to pay.”
The Telematics Detroit 2008 event in Detroit on May 21-22, will delve deeper into what strategies current industry leaders need to deploy to guard against intensifying competition and market threats. All attendees need to pre-register for the event. For the full speaker lineup, agenda and more details visit www.telematicsupdate.com/detroit2008/. | 
