Alpine 2012 Annual Report Download - page 12

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Full-fledged Linkage with Smart phones/Cloud Computing
In line with the recent penetration of smart phones,
customer needs are increasing for linkage between
their smart phones and in-car systems within their
vehicles. In addition, the need for a response to the
field of cloud computing has spread to the car
electronics industry, becoming an important theme.
In response, Alpine has established a subsidiary in
Silicon Valley, California in the U.S., where is the hub
of the IT industry. Through this subsidiary, Alpine is
making intensive efforts to develop new applications
that link up cars and smart phones, and to discover IT
techniques that can contribute to Alpine’s future in-car
equipment business. Through these initiatives, Alpine
aims to invigorate its development activities and
increase the attractiveness of the products it develops.
As part of its measures in response to cloud computing, Alpine has entered into a partnership for a joint
development with Chleon Automotive Ltd. of Finland, a supplier for a content and application
management platform for automobiles. Through the partnership, the two companies aim to develop a
next-generation connected infotainment system that will enable direct connectivity to internet cloud
networking through an integrated communication module.
Alpine will create market needs by further strengthening linkage with smart phones and working to
diversify Alpine’s connectivity with cloud computing through this joint development.
Strengthening Alpine’s Connection with the Local Area (Iwaki Area)
Alpine is the core private company involved in a
non-profit organization called “Iwaki environmental
system.” This organization was set up with the
purpose of rehabilitating the local areas that suffered
substantial destruction and were subject to harmful
rumors as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake
and the accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear
power plant, as well as revitalizing the region.
“Iwaki environmental system,” was founded by the
Iwaki Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with
its members, including Alpine. The idea behind its
founding was that the government, industry and
academic sectors should come together and work to solve the unknown problems caused by a natural
disaster of unprecedented scale and radioactive contamination. In addition to its key work of
environmental recovery including radiation dose monitoring and basic decontamination, Iwaki
environmental system is engaged in a wide variety of activities that contribute to economic reconstruction
in the region, such as job creation. Through these activities, the organization is aiming to become a new
model for reconstruction.
Application development
Radiation monitoring