Time Warner (News – Alert) Cable has announced that it is developing an IP set-top box (STB) with a cloud navigator, which will showcase the company's new HTML5 cloud-based navigation guide with enhanced search capabilities and additional program information.

The No. 2 cable MSO is working with Humax on the development, which is based on the Reference Design Kit (RDK) platform. It expects to deploy the new gear in select markets by the end of 2014.

The RDK is a platform software solution for the cable industry originally developed by Comcast (News – Alert) that aims to accelerate next-generation TV service deployment via a standardized software bundle designed to provide a common framework for powering customer-premises equipment (CPE) from TV service providers, including set-top boxes, gateways and converged devices. It was created to provide transparency through access to device subcomponents. The RDK code is located beneath, and independent of, the application framework or UE/UX/UI layer of these devices.

TWC and Comcast announced an RDK joint venture last year, whereby each would provide technical guidance, coding and financial support to promote the RDK. Earlier in 2014, John Malone-owned Liberty Global (News – Alert) also signed on to the JV.

"We're very excited as this is the first implementation of the RDK for Time Warner Cable and steers us towards the future of an all-IP service," said Matthew Zelesko, TWC’s senior vice president of the Converged Technology Group. "The RDK continues to evolve thanks to the collaboration and joint efforts of the RDK community. We look forward to the continued development of the RDK and will work together to enhance it as a strategic platform for next generation set-top boxes and devices."

So far, the RDK has been licensed by more than 120 companies, including Kabel Deutschland and Cox (News – Alert) Communications. Comcast has launched commercial product on the platform in the form of the X1 platform for Xfinity.