ETRI is developing various new technologies related to information contents. Telematics refers to the offering of "vehicle multimedia services" to car drivers through location information and wireless communication networks. Through wire and wireless communications and broadcasting networks, it makes vehicles the third Internet connected space, following home and office. Under the different communication environments, such as CDMA/WiBro/ WLAN and DMB, telematics offers seamless service in a car through intelligenttype terminals. It also creates new value added services through connections with various automobile and information and communication industries. To offer telematics services, a variety of state-of-the-art technologies are required. Among them are mobile communication technology connecting vehicle and center; the vehicle network technology; the terminal platform technology for telematics; the telematics server technology for offering of navigation map and real time traffic information; the vehicle management technology for diagnosis and control of vehicle; and the voice recognition and display technology for communication. Among them, the core technologies of telematics are terminal platform technology; wire and wireless communication technology; and server technology offering major services, including real time traffic information, route guidance, and safe driving. In the future the telematics service is likely to be classified into the vehicle management service, the safety management service and the information contents service in the process of development. Accordingly, the telematics technology offering such services will probably develop as follows: Namely, the development of the vehicle management technology is expected to focus on remote customer management and sensor network DB; the safety and security technology on driving safety information DB and a black box system; and the information contents technology on LBS, terminal S/W platform, mobile multimedia streaming, and HMI. To support such services, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute Among advanced technologies currently under development are ASP service technologies, open-type telematics service application protocol technology, open-type LBS platform, and terminal S/W platform and information management technology. In particular ETRI places its emphasis on the development of the parts technology, which enables determination of high-density location information; the system construction and management technology for telematics real contents; and construction of telematics test bed and test verification. In terms of communication technology, a core technology part of telematics, the nation's cellular communication technology has already reached global excellence levels, so the commercialization service can now get under way. If WiBro (Wireless Broadband Internet) and HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) technologies are commercialized in the future, high-level services will be provided. The domestic technology on traffic information processing has reached a matured status. In particular, the nation has powerful competitiveness in the map information processing technology. At present, Korea stands on an equal footing with advanced countries in terms of voice processing, global positioning system (GPS) determination, and route management technology. However, in terms of VRM service technology, vehicle communication technology and RFID determination, the nation is in the stage of introduction or growth, so it is weak in competitiveness in the sectors. Accordingly, the nation will only be able to secure global-level competitiveness in the sectors through expansion of telematics market and acceleration of technology development. In terms of telematics service, in general, the domestic service competitive power has been improving based on excellent wireless communication technology and various contents. To improve international competitiveness, however, the nation is required to improve the level of traffic infrastructure, secure global standardization, develop cars with advanced equipment and bolster convergence service.