MagnaWorks Announces Availability of Navex Automotive Telematics Navigation System
16 October 2000
MagnaWorks Announces Availability of Navex Automotive Telematics Navigation System
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.--Oct. 16, 2000-- MagnaWorks(R), a business group of Magna International(R) Incorporated , today announced the availability to vehicle manufacturers of Navex(TM), the first true, turn-by-turn telematics navigation system.Telematics systems differ from other navigation systems currently available because of their ability to provide true, turn-by-turn route guidance to drivers at markedly lower cost -- less than $500 per vehicle -- by using a wireless network.
With the availability of the Navex telematics navigation system, vehicle manufacturers can offer their customers the safety and convenience of in-vehicle navigation at substantially reduced costs to drivers, according to Gary N. Benninger, vice president, MagnaWorks.
Operation of the Navex system is straightforward. Using the cellular network, drivers initiate voice communications with the telematics service provider's call center outlining their intended destination. From the call center, the drivers' current locations are confirmed via GPS satellite positioning. After calculating the optimal routes, the call center transmits the routes back to the vehicles. The system then uses both verbal and visual prompts to provide turn-by-turn directions to guide the drivers to their selected destinations.
Telematics navigation hardware is less susceptible to obsolescence compared to conventional on-board navigation systems. "By using a central database at the call center rather than in each separate vehicle, we can continuously update, expand and otherwise upgrade the quality of route information provided to Navex users," says Benninger. "With the introduction of the Navex telematics navigation system, MagnaWorks offers vehicle manufacturers the safety and convenience of a true, turn-by-turn navigation system for a fraction of the cost of competitive on-board systems."
About MagnaWorks
MagnaWorks is a business group of Magna International Incorporated. Magna, one of the most diversified automotive suppliers in the world, designs, develops and manufactures automotive systems, assemblies and components, and engineers and assembles complete vehicles, primarily for sale to original equipment manufacturers of cars and light trucks in North America, Europe, Mexico, South America and Asia. Magna's products include: exterior decorative systems; interior products including complete seats, instrument and door panel systems and sound insulation; stamped and welded metal parts and assemblies; electro-mechanical devices and assemblies and navigation systems; a variety of plastic parts, including body panels and fascias through Decoma International Inc.; various engine, powertrain and fueling and cooling components through Tesma International Inc.; a variety of drivetrain components through Steyr Powertrain; and complete vehicle engineering and assembly through SteyrSymatec.
Magna has over 59,000 employees in 166 manufacturing operations and 32 product development and engineering centers in 19 countries.