Motorola Out to Revolutionize Driving Experience with Server-Based Navigation Offerings
5 January 2001
Motorola Out to Revolutionize Driving Experience with Server-Based Navigation Offerings
Powerful In-Vehicle Navigation Solution Provides Real-Time Traffic, Weather
Information, Turn-By-Turn Directions and Other Driver Benefits
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5 In a move that further advances its
position as the world leader in the Telematics industry, Motorola
today announced it will deliver a server-based navigation application as part
of Motorola's iRadio(TM) system. A significant technical step in mobile
navigation and driver information services, Motorola's navigation application
is planned for consumer availability in 2002. The application provides
drivers with a wireless navigation service that can deliver turn-by-turn route
guidance and real-time traffic and weather information. Motorola will
demonstrate the iRadio system, including the server-based navigation
application, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas,
Jan. 6-9, 2001 (booth #15032 in the gold lot or booth #18251 in the Digital
Car Pavilion).
The server-based navigation application is part of the Motorola iRadio
system, an in-vehicle Telematics platform that combines emergency calling and
roadside assistance, navigation, entertainment, information and location-based
services into one complete driver-friendly system.
Server-based navigation enables all of the complex routing calculations
and large databases of information, including addresses, routing and traffic
preferences, to be stored in the servers. The information is then downloaded
on demand to the vehicle through a wireless connection.
In addition to being cost-effective for consumers, the server-based
navigation application is easy to maintain by downloading new information and
applications with the push of a button. Customers also will have access to
personalized real-time traffic and weather information, up-to-date map data
and point-of-interest listings, thus eliminating the need to purchase or
update data on disks.
"Motorola is leading the market in its Telematics offerings, and is the
first company to create a Telematics solution that promises to transform the
driving experience," said Joe Guglielmi, executive vice president and
president, Motorola's Integrated Electronic Systems Sector. "At a time when
consumer mobile electronics companies are still in the early stages of
autonomous navigation systems, Motorola is delivering a wireless, server-based
navigation solution that provides connectivity to real-time information."
Features of the Java-based navigation application include:
-- Web-based trip planning: Allows drivers to create a personal profile of
addresses, trips and preferences that can be downloaded to the Motorola
iRadio system prior to entering the car.
-- Point of interest searching: Allows users to easily find favorite
restaurants, gas stations, museums, stores, shopping centers, theatres
and other destinations on demand. Categories and names can be
preprogrammed into the personal profile via the iRadio system Web site.
-- Personal information management: Enables the Motorola iRadio system to
synchronize with content management and calendaring software, as well
as personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, so that users can access
their address book, calendar or other personal information and easily
navigate to addresses and appointments. This feature also enables
users to create and manage position markers for easily returning to
locations of interest.
-- Hands-free capabilities: Features include voice recognition,
text-to-speech capabilities, voice maneuver prompting and real-time
traffic and weather information.
-- Infrared beaming: Gives users the ability to beam in a destination
address using a Palm(TM) device, Motorola Timeport(TM) pager or other
PDAs.
The navigation application is scalable to run on a variety of Java-enabled
devices from handheld phones and PDA devices to automotive multi-media
systems. It also promotes rapid and seamless wireless data delivery and gives
the driver dynamic route guidance and navigation information. Additionally,
the user interface can be adapted to various audio and graphics capabilities.
Motorola's server-based navigation system used in the iRadio system has
been developed using location tools, navigation engines and cartographic
software from BCI Navigation. The strategic relationship between Motorola and
BCI Navigation, established in 1999, has enabled Motorola to rapidly develop
navigation applications that are highly efficient and cost effective in
managing large amounts of map data and distributing that data to wireless
devices.
To provide content for the application, Motorola has established a
development agreement with Navigation Technologies, creators of the NAVTECH(R)
digital map database, for the U.S. and Canadian markets on a pay-as-you-go or
subscription basis. Motorola also has established agreements with content
providers infoUSA.com and WeatherBank, which provide point-of-interest and
weather information services, respectively. Motorola is working with
additional industry leaders to provide customers with real-time national
traffic and predictive travel information.
"Combining our technology with that of other industry leaders, we ensure
drivers are using the most robust in-vehicle application on the market today,"
said Guglielmi. "Working with these content providers is evidence of our
commitment to providing drivers with the most innovative Telematics solutions
available."
Motorola's dynamic server-based navigation application can be licensed
separately or as part of the Motorola iRadio system to automotive OEMs, audio
manufacturers, Telematics service providers and wireless carriers.
Motorola's iRadio system and server-based navigation application are
examples of the DigitalDNA(TM) technology that Motorola incorporates into all
of its products. DigitalDNA is chips, systems and ideas that help smart
companies create smart products.
More information about Motorola's iRadio system is available at
http://www.motorola.com/ies/telematics/iradio .
About Motorola IESS
The Integrated Electronic Systems Sector (IESS) is part of Motorola, Inc.
IESS is a leading provider of advanced electronic products and systems for
customers integrating electronics into their products. The Telematics
Communications Group (TCG) is a business unit of Motorola's Integrated
Electronic Systems Sector (IESS). TCG was formed in 1998 and focuses on
emerging automotive communications markets for advanced wireless applications.
Motorola, Inc. is a global leader in providing integrated
communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1999
were $33.1 billion. http://www.motorola.com
CONTACT: Media, Brian Gratch of Motorola Inc., 847-907-8925, or
brian.gratch@motorola.com; or Amy Smolensky of Hill and Knowlton for Motorola
Inc., 312-475-5985, or asmolens@hillandknowlton.com.