The History of MOST

In the 1990s OASIS Silicon Systems (acquired in 2005 by SMSC and now SMSC's Automotive Information Systems product line) detected the need for a multi-protocol synchronous network when working together on automotive applications for high-end European automakers. Designers searched to expand automotive entertainment and information systems and a cost effective solution was needed enabling these components to communicate with one another.

A strong working relationship arose between SMSC and automotive OEMs and suppliers who shared the vision of driving an open standard for networking automotive multimedia systems. Focusing on the technical requirements for this solution, BMW, Daimler, Harman/Becker and SMSC became the founding members of the MOST Cooperation, formed in 1998. The founding members focused on promoting the MOST technology by establishing a partnership between automotive OEMs and key component suppliers in order to define and adopt a common multimedia network protocol and application object model.

The first MOST based automobile, the BMW 7 Series, hit the streets in October of 2001. The Volvo XC90 SUV, Mercedes-Benz E Class, and Porsche Cayenne were soon to follow with their MOST based solutions. Additional platform models by Audi, BMW, Daimler, Citroën, Peugeot, Saab and Volvo have also been introduced. The demand for MOST based automotive multimedia systems is driven by the growing trend of car manufacturers and suppliers to offer additional electronic and multimedia devices in all types of vehicles and the need to provide a complete and easy-to-use solution to the consumer. MOST continues to gain in popularity as more car makers and suppliers join this multimedia networking revolution

The MOST Cooperation has since expanded into a worldwide organization. Currently the MOST Cooperation consists of 16 automotive OEMs and over 70 suppliers (as of May 2009).