Navteq launches new 3D Intersections for Satellite Navigation
November 2, 2009
Navteq, one of the established digital map makers for satellite navigation has rendered intersections in 3D, which is ready to be sold to GPS navigation manufacturers. This new 3D world creation has brought the map intersections more closer to the real view.
The main idea is to help out the drivers at unfamiliar roads, where the intersections they cross become important. The 3D view brings exact replica of road signs, over passes and other things. It is reported that only 8000 intersections in this world are 3D-ed, with 2000 in US.
Navteq’s new 3D intersections have not been sold to any manufacturers yet. But its could be expected sooner as this is time that Google Map navigation has come on to the screen. It could be a possible competition to Google navigation.
Thanko Japan announces a new GPS watch
October 31, 2009
Thanko Japan, who is behind the production of geeky gadgets have now announced a new GPS watch. Dubbed as GPSTRVBK, this wrist watch can log every movements of yours once switched on. This is nothing but a regular watch is embedded with a GPS module.
It is not only about tracking movements, but GPSTRVBK GPS wrist watch could be plugged into your PC and your logs could be upload. This could be used with a Google map.
This GPS watch has been priced at 17800 Yen in Japan and it will be soon available on Geekstuff4u.com for the same price.
Winking Robot- A new friendly Satellite Navigation System
October 30, 2009
MIT has revolutionized satellite navigation system using a Winking Robot that can anticipate your needs. This winking robot has been dubbed as Affective Intelligent Driving Agent (AIDA), which could be mounted on the vehicles’ dash board.
With an articulated neck, AIDA comes with an expressive face by which it can smile, can look sad, can show warning signs, and can wink at the user. This robot learns your frequently visited areas and daily routines. If the user tend to visit a place regularly at a particular time, Winking Robot memorizes this routine and automatically plug-in the route as you get into the car next time.
Significantly, it collects the data about the local events and traffic conditions, and choose routes accordingly. Of more interest to the users, Winking Robot checks the condition of the car and stops at the service station, if it requires a service.
This friendly robot has been designed by MIT’s Personal Record Group, City Lab and Volkswagen group of America’s Electronic Research Lab. No information is available about its launch in any vehicles.
Google to offer free Sat-Nav through Motorola Droid Phone
October 29, 2009
Google has announced a free satellite navigation application and free music search in smartphones that operates through Google’s Android operating system. It will be initially available in US, on Motorola Droid phone, which employs Google’s Android 2.0 software. This new navigation system will add real time directions, Google street view photos, voice technology and real-time traffic data.
Unlike TomTom and Garmin sat nav, Google’s Sat Nav Application uses smartphones’ internet connection to receive most of the up-to-date information. It receives maps and business listings from Google’s maps. Thus, the users would not need to buy map upgrades. Another asset of Google’s sat nav application is that the users do not want to enter the full address, instead a name of the landmark is enough to find the place. Google’s street view could be also accessed that allows the users to have more clear and realistic view of the streets.
Google’s music search automatically include the links to audio preview of songs, artists and albums. It has also partnered with Gracenote, to enable users to find songs without full title entry. All these services are limited to US for the time being but Google has indicated the expansion of these services to other regions sooner. This new venture from Google could pose as a serious threat to established sat nav manufacturers like Garmin and TomTom.
Mio MiBuddy GPS Navigation to come with Google Android
October 28, 2009
Mio Technology, an established satellite navigation maker will launch its new next generation MiBuddy internet and navigation device next year, which runs on Google Android mobile software. Mio MiBuddy is a Mobile Internet Navigation Device (MIND), offering both internet browsing and navigation facility.
In addition to a 4.7 inches touch screen display, Mio MiBuddy features a keypad that drops down from the bottom of the device that offers a smooth typing. MiBuddy could be mounted on to the dash board of the car, and it performs all functions of a car navigation system. It can be also carried out, and used as a personal navigation device. It works with a number of wireless technologies including Wi-Fi and blue tooth. Furthermore, MiBuddy comes with a built-in micro-phone, a speaker and a media player.
The present Mio MiBuddy employs Microsoft’s Window CE operating system and it is reported that next generation MiBuddy will continue to come with Windows CE in addition to Google Android. The availability of the device in the global market and the price of the device is not known till now.
