Traffic Updates Go Visual with Clarion
16 October 2000
Traffic Updates Go Visual with ClarionDETROIT, Oct. 16 The Clarion AutoPC, the world's first in-vehicle computing device introduced in the US market early last year, has just had a powerful new feature added to its already impressive array of third party software and hardware peripherals. InfoGation Corp., a leading developer of telematics software, recently announced Odyssey 2000 which operates on the Clarion AutoPC, for the First In-Vehicle Navigation Application offering real time traffic updates to U.S. drivers. Odyssey 2000 integrates navigation with instant traffic updates alerting drivers of accidents and construction zones on freeways as they occur. Clarion's AutoPC equipped with Odyssey 2000 includes a moving map display, text-to-speech and voice recognition features offering drivers a safe update and glimpse of traffic obstructions while navigating hands-free. The incidents displayed on the map are color-coded according to their severity with an arrow displaying the direction of traffic flow affected requiring an effortless glance by the driver. Jim Minarik, President of Clarion Corporation of America says, "Many of the leaders in the US in-vehicle navigation business have been saying for years that the 'must have application' to make the market really take off will ultimately be effective integration of navigation with real time traffic in an easy to view format. While currently limited to our first version aftermarket device, it is easy to see that this new combination of InfoGation's Odyssey and the Clarion AutoPC offer the consumer a true 'glimpse into the future' of where our industry is going and what, we believe is a compelling value proposition. While Odyssey 2000 is, at this time only available for our version 1 aftermarket device, we will be offering similar capabilities in both future aftermarket and OEM in-vehicle computing devices." Odyssey 2000 was developed by InfoGation in partnership with CUE Corporation, which provides wireless data network and services. The real time traffic updates are available for more than 60 cities in the U.S. and Canada. Turn-by-turn navigation and GPS satellite tracking are also provided. The application uses the latest version of Navigation Technologies' map database on CD-ROM. Ken Liu, CEO of InfoGation says, "This is another step in our telematics vision. We believe that Odyssey 2000 with integrated real-time traffic is a powerful combination to provide drivers with time critical information and will reduce their frustration." Clarion is now offering Odyssey 2000 as an option to new buyers of AutoPC. An upgrade is also available through InfoGation to existing users. The traffic update product requires the installation of a CUE receiver and subscription to the CUE TrafficNet service.