High-Performance Navigation Core for the Auto OEM Market

OLATHE, KS--November 18, 2013: Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. , the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced Gemini, a new navigation core designed for the auto OEM market. Building upon Garmin’s industry-leading technology, Gemini provides automakers a faster, more intuitive and feature-rich in-dash navigation experience than ever before. The accompanying Software Development Kit (SDK) allows automakers to fully customize the feature set as well as the look and feel to meet their specific needs. Gemini features advanced 3D graphics for better orientation and smart navigation features. The ability to integrate automatic over-the-air (OTA) map and software updates can make it easier for drivers to keep their system current.

“Garmin’s strong foothold in the consumer business has helped our auto OEM group to secure top rankings in satisfaction surveys. The new Gemini navigation core continues this success story by delivering even better performance and comprehensive customization options for automakers to meet their individual needs.”

“One of the major challenges for in-dash navigation systems is to keep pace with the performance and feature-richness of consumer products,” said Matt Munn, Garmin managing director automotive OEM. “Garmin’s strong foothold in the consumer business has helped our auto OEM group to secure top rankings in satisfaction surveys. The new Gemini navigation core continues this success story by delivering even better performance and comprehensive customization options for automakers to meet their individual needs.”

Map drawing, route calculation and search are twice as fast with Gemini as compared to previous Garmin software. The performance advancements allow for the integration of advanced 3D city models that show realistic and beautifully rendered 3D graphics for better orientation. This includes navigable roads, parks, rivers, and textured buildings. Keeping maps and software up to date has never been easier: Gemini enables automakers to integrate automatic OTA updates. By allowing partial and incremental updates, the system can automatically connect using WIFI or LTE networks to download the latest changes to the road or POI database. Garmin provides an SDK that allows automakers to easily integrate Gemini into any in-dash system and fully customize every aspect, such as the navigation functionalities and live services as well as the look and feel of the user interface and maps to meet the design language of any system.

Gemini features premium Garmin navigation, including voice command, junction views, lane guidance, and real-time traffic. Garmin Real Directions™ guide drivers in a natural and intuitive way. The new feature uses recognizable landmarks, buildings, traffic lights and stop signs to give directions. Furthermore, Gemini has the capability to uniquely adapt to the driving behavior of the user. MyTrends, for example, learns over time where the user is going at certain days and times and automatically suggests the right address. Gemini can also suggest points of interest based on user behavior, such as a favorite type of restaurant for lunch or a gas station when the gas level reaches a certain point. For both gas and electric vehicles, Gemini can determine and display the range in miles that can be archived with the current gas level or charge based on individual driving behavior.

Gemini is designed to easily integrate with third-party data and other vehicle systems. Apps that need location, route or ETA information can request that data from Gemini. Automakers could, for example, develop a feature that uses check-in information from social networks to suggest places to the driver that friends have recommended. Additionally, Gemini can allow other screens or devices in the vehicle to access navigation capabilities, so users can conveniently plan out a trip on their tablet and send the route information to the in-dash system for directions.

Garmin’s automotive OEM group utilizes the company’s long-standing experience in user interface and hardware design from its automotive, avionics and marine segments to develop innovative in-car navigation, telematics and infotainment systems. Garmin’s broad range of in-vehicle electronics for the automotive industry includes full infotainment and telematics systems, navigation software, location-based services, and integrated portable navigation systems. Garmin has dedicated automotive OEM offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.