Airbiquity Inc. was a business-to-business (B2B) software development and engineering company operating in the automotive telematics industry. Airbiquity's business model was to develop, deploy, and support the ongoing management of connected car programs for automotive industry customers.

Airbiquity
Company typePrivately Held Company
IndustryAutomotive Telematics: Connected Vehicle Services
Founded1997
HeadquartersSeattle, WA, USA
Areas served
Americas, Europe, Middle East/Africa, Asia, Oceana
Products
  • Over-the-air (OTA) Software and Data Management
BrandsOTAmatic Software Management Platform, DATAmatic Edge Data Management Platform, Choreo Connected Vehicle Service-Delivery Platform
Websitewww.airbiquity.com

History

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The company was founded in 1997 as Integrated Data Communications Inc. located on Bainbridge Island across the Puget Sound from Seattle.[1] In 2000, the company changed its name to Airbiquity Inc. and later relocated to the Seattle downtown waterfront in 2006.[2]

During its early years Airbiquity's primary product was aqLink, a patented in-band software modem enabling vehicle connectivity and two-way data transfer over cellular voice networks using embedded TCUs or consumer cell phones with Bluetooth connections.[3] The introduction of aqLink was followed by a series of product upgrades and line extensions, including aqServer for transmission, receipt and processing of information transported to data and call center providers over UMTS, CDMA, TDMA or GSM wireless network voice channels.[4]

In 2001, Airbiquity secured a contract with General Motors to license aqLink technology to support location-based communications for its OnStar service. Other automakers licensed aqLink technology for their connected car programs.[5] According to Airbiquity, aqLink technology has been licensed for use in over 25 million production vehicles globally.[6] The ability to provide voice and data services marked the start of branded connected car programs from automakers seeking to differentiate their vehicles from competitors. These programs have since expanded to include other features and services such as over-the-air (OTA) software and data management, infotainment delivery,[7] remote vehicle management, electric vehicle management, and commercial fleet management.

In early 2024 Airbiquity's assets and a subset of the company's engineering staff were acquired by Karma Automotive [8]

Prior Offerings

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  • OTAmatic
  • DATAmatic
  • aqLink
  • aqServer
  • Fleet Management
  • Safety & Security
  • Electric Vehicle
  • Infotainment Delivery[9]

Choreo

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Airbiquity launched Choreo, a cloud-based connected car service delivery platform, in 2008. The first automaker program to deploy on Choreo was Ford Sync in 2008.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Baker, Sharon. "Airbiquity raises $7.5M to back wireless GPS system". Puget Sounds Business Journal. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  2. ^ Engleman, Eric. "Deal with GM's OnStar saves Seattle's Airbiquity". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  3. ^ Gill, Sharon. "Airbiquity deploys 10 million telematics solutions". TU-Automotive. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  4. ^ Gill, Sharon. "America News: Airbiquity signs telematics deal with BMW". TU Automotive. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  5. ^ Shariat, Jeff (24 February 2010). "Product Spotlight: Airbiquity aqLink". InTelematicsToday. Archived from the original on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  6. ^ "Airbiquity: "Choreo Is Used by Nissan, Infiniti, FCA, Ford and Renault"". GPS Business News. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  7. ^ Arnason, Gulli (17 March 2016). "Airbiquity integrates vehicle infotainment applications". Financial News. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  8. ^ "KARMA AUTOMOTIVE ACQUIRES ASSETS AND KEY PERSONNEL FROM CONNECTED VEHICLE PIONEER AIRBIQUITY | Karma Automotive".
  9. ^ "Vehicle Telematics, Geofencing & Fleet Tracking Systems for the Connected Car". www.airbiquity.com. 9 October 2006. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  10. ^ Hill, Kelly (15 November 2013). "Airbiquity provides cloud-based smartphone integration for Nissan vehicles". RCR Wireless. Retrieved 31 March 2016.