The MK8057GSC drive will provide storage capacity of 80Gbytes for in-car entertainment and information systems that include increased functionality such as 3D GPS navigation, mp3 playback, digital video and gaming as well as sophisticated on-board computing. They have been ruggedised to provide the performance and resistance to extremes of temperature required to function in this environment.

Toshiba's SATA model for automotive class HDD enables future navigation and infotainment systems to be integrated with new breeds of automotive chip set designs, and with other telematic technology developments. In addition, systems will benefit from faster data transfer rates than with the previous PATA interface, at 1.5 Gbytes a second and with a seek time of 16 milliseconds.

Automotive-grade HDDs offer advantages for OEM system designers and integrators compared to alternative storage devices. In-car systems are required to operate efficiently and effectively in extreme environments to avoid system downtime and data loss. Toshiba’s HDDs can operate at altitudes of -300m to 5,500m, where air is thinner. In addition, to ensure the disc spindle operates in sub-freezing and high temperatures, the operating temperature range of the automotive drives range between -30° to +85 C whilst the spindle motor runs at 4,200rpm. Compared to its predecessor, the MK6015MAP, the MK8057GSC mode  has reduced CO₂ emissions by about 68g a year.

More information: www.storage.toshiba.eu