A Framework for Developing Personalizeable Mobile Services in Automobiles

This paper focuses on the systematic development and implementation of mobile services (e.g. locationbased services) in automobiles. It includes a design framework that represents the requirements of automotive service engineering (e.g., the development process for supporting location-based services including contracting with network providers) and a corresponding process model that combines iterative service development with prototyping. The framework and the process model are applied to a new mobile automotive service called MACS MyNews. MACS MyNews is a personalizeable, interactive news service that allows the driver to specify desired topics of transmitted newscasts. We begin by identifying possible service scenarios. Then a matching network of relevant parties is derived from the scenarios, technologies for service provisioning are chosen and a prototype is implemented. The service is then evaluated for usability and, in particular, driving safety. This design and implementation of MACS MyNews has proven successful with a major German car manufacturer who is considering its implementation. The application of the design approach generates insights into the chosen development approach’s usefulness and usability and suggests future research.