Motorola and Navigation Technologies to Form Alliance to Develop Wireless In-Vehicle Navigation Application
5 January 2001
Motorola and Navigation Technologies to Form Alliance to Develop Wireless In-Vehicle Navigation Application
iRadio(TM) Telematics Suite to Offer Turn-By-Turn Guidance Using NAVTECH(R)
Digital Maps
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5 Consumer Electronics Show --
(Booth #18949) -- Navigation Technologies Corp. (NTC) today announced it will
provide map data to Motorola for a server-based navigation
application that delivers turn-by-turn route guidance for drivers using
NAVTECH(R) digital maps. The application will be part of Motorola's
iRadio(TM) System scheduled for commercial release in 2002.
By using the NAVTECH database, Motorola can quickly develop a wireless
application that provides drivers with a navigation service that synchronizes
with real-time traffic and weather information, as well as the most up-to-date
digital maps. Motorola is demonstrating the iRadio(TM) System, including the
server-based navigation application, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES),
Jan. 6-9, at booth #15032 in the gold lot and booth #18251 in the Digital Car
Pavilion.
"As consumer mobile-electronics products evolve, we will continue to find
ways to make them easier to use with real-time navigation information," said
Judson Green, president and chief executive officer, Navigation Technologies.
"This co-development effort with Motorola represents a critical step as we
continue delivering 'informed mobility' to mass markets."
A significant technical step in mobile navigation and driver information
services, Motorola's navigation application is part of Motorola's iRadio(TM)
System -- an in-vehicle platform that combines entertainment, information,
navigation, emergency calling and communication into one 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 in real-time to the vehicle through a wireless connection.
In addition to being cost-effective for consumers, the server-based
navigation application is easy to maintain and downloads applications at the
push of a button. Customers will also have access to personalized real-time
traffic and weather information, up-to-date map data and point-of-interest
listings, eliminating the need to purchase or update data on disks.
"Motorola is leading the market in its Telematics offerings and, with the
help of Navigation Technologies Corp., is the first company to create a
Telematics solution that promises to transform the driving experience," said
Marios Zenios, corporate vice president and general manager, Motorola
Telematics Communications Group. "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 Motorola's
iRadio(TM) 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 places on demand. Categories and names can be preprogrammed
into the personal profile via the iRadio(TM) System Web site.
-- Personal information management: Enables Motorola's iRadio(TM) System
to synchronize with Microsoft Outlook(TM) and like software, as well as
palm 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
route 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 device, Timeport(TM) phone, or other personal
digital assistants (PDA).
The navigation application is scalable enough to run on a variety of
Java-enabled devices from hand-held phones and other palm devices to
automotive multimedia systems. It also promotes rapid and seamless wireless
data delivery and gives the driver efficient trip guidance and navigation
information. Further, the user interface can be adapted to various audio and
graphics capabilities.
"Combining our technology with that of other industry leaders, we ensure
that drivers are using the most robust in-vehicle application on the market
today," said Zenios. "Working with Navigation Technologies underscores 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 Motorola's iRadio(TM) System to automotive OEMs,
audio manufacturers, Telematics service providers and wireless carriers.
Motorola's iRadio(TM) 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(TM) 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 is a global leader in providing integrated communications
solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1999 were
$33.1 billion.
http://www.motorola.com
About Navigation Technologies
Navigation Technologies Corp. is the world's leading provider of digital
map information and enabling technology used in a wide range of smart
navigation products, including automotive navigation systems, GIS and fleet
applications, hand-held products, Internet mapping, personal computer based
applications and call center-based navigation services. The company's
NAVTECH(R) brand digital maps, covering North America and Western Europe, are
the route-guidance solution chosen by leading automotive, electronic, and
software manufacturers for their unrivaled accuracy, depth and reliability.
Navigation Technologies, which is privately held, is headquartered in the
Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Ill., with major business operations in Fargo,
N.D.; Sunnyvale, Calif.; Best, The Netherlands; and Yokohama, Japan. The
company, which was founded in 1985, has approximately 1,200 employees and
maintains field operations in nearly 100 offices in 16 countries.
For additional information, visit the company's Web site at
http://www.navtech.com .
CONTACT: Francesca Lendrum of Navigation Technologies Corp.,
847-795-7021, email, flendrum@chi.navtech.com; or Paul Oakley of Corporate
Technology Communications for Navigations Technologies Corp., 312-224-9268,
email, poakley@ctcomm.com.