Huawei unveiled its in-car 4G LTE mobile WiFi device, Huawei CarFi.
Inspired by the elegant lines of a golf club and boasting premium materials for added durability, Huawei CarFi converts vehicles into WiFi hotspots on wheels for added convenience in daily life.
Delivering download speeds of up to 150 Mbps and connectivity for up to 10 devices, Huawei CarFi can be easily transferred from one vehicle to another. To showcase how innovation can benefit the consumer, Huawei has put the Huawei CarFi into use and 400 branded vehicles in Barcelona, Spain, during Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2015 will allow passengers to connect on-the-go.
“At Huawei, we aim to be one step ahead in providing great technology that meets connectivity needs in every aspect of life. As a leader in mobile broadband delivering next-generation LTE networks, Huawei devices such as Huawei CarFi Make it Possible for people to enjoy the freedom of connectivity on the move,” says Steven Liu, vice-president of Mobile Broadband and Home Product Line, Huawei Consumer Business Group.
“Automotive connectivity, known in the industry as telematics, is a significant trend that will provide safety, convenience, and infotainment in the future.”
Penetration of WiFi in vehicle infotainment system is set to become an important trend. To address this trend and tap the large potentials and opportunities, Huawei CarFi supports lightning fast LTE Cat4 connectivity with industry-leading speeds of 150 Mbps and can also be used to allow up to 10 passengers quick and easy access to networks.
Benefits of connectivity in the car include parking assist, emergency rescue, vehicle issue diagnosis, hands-free speech recognition, realtime highway condition updates, and driving behavior pattern identification to ensure drivers remain safe on the road.
Huawei CarFi will automatically turn off when no WiFi-compatible device is identified, and can still be used to charge other electronic devices even when turned off as long as car is in use. Huawei CarFi does not contain a battery which provides protection against overheating in hot climates, and has a built-in self-regulating temperature protection function that automatically lowers the temperature of the device when necessary.
Fitting into the cigarette lighter or in-car charger outlet of a vehicle, unified design of Huawei CarFi features “plug and play” functionality that can be turned on with a single long press of the “on” button for added convenience and safety when on the road. Alternatively, it can also be controlled remotely by Android and iOS smartphones using the ‘Huawei Hilink’ application available to download via all major app stores.
With an elegant and refined look, Huawei CarFi features detailed craftsmanship incorporating superior-grade wood and carbon fiber materials for increased durability during everyday use. It comes in three color variations, fashion elite black and warm family wood, and dynamic speed red, to complement the interior of most vehicles.
CarFi will be available in South Africa before the end of this year. It is compatible with all car models from leading automobile manufacturers that feature a cigarette lighter or in-car charger outlet.