Panasonic intends to debut a networking system that is able to actually connect electric cars to home devices through electrical wiring. This technological milestone will be revealed at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES (News - Alert)) in Las Vegas.
With the electric car networking prototype, people will be able to use their home devices to check on an electric vehicle while it is recharging. The prototype is one of several research developments that will be showcased at the event, according to Panasonic (News - Alert). Some of the other prototypes will include an HD-PLC (High-Definition Powerline Communications) adapter for a security camera and an electrical monitoring system.
A technology developed by Panasonic, HD-PLC utilizes the electricity cabling already available inside a home or building to send and receive data. It is competing in the market with the HomePlug Powerline Alliance and Universal Powerline Association to become the main standard for data connections over such cabling. One of the major benefits of all three systems is that they do not require dedicated Ethernet cabling. However, all three are largely incompatible.
The networking system was first released at CES in 2004 when the Panasonic unveiled it as a prototype system during a major speech. At the time it had been proposed to the HomePlug Powerline Alliance to become their standard. A competing system was later selected and Panasonic moved forward with developing the technology on it’s on.
Since then, an HD-PLC Alliance has since been formed but membership is restricted. Besides including numerous Panasonic group companies, the main members are just three other companies: IO Data, a peripherals vendor, and networking companies Icron and ACN Advanced Communications Networks.
Panasonic recently received recognition for its Lumix DMC-G1, a Micro Four Thirds digital camera, which was named the 2008 Camera of the Year by Popular Photography & Imaging (Pop Photo), a global imaging magazine.
The Lumix DMC-G1 is said to be the world’s smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens camera system, with the body and kit lens weighing in at a mere 580 grams (1.28 lbs). Pop Photo's Camera of the Year report on the Lumix G1 appears in the January 2009 issue of the magazine and on PopPhoto.com.
Michelle Robart is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Michelle's articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Michelle Robart