DATUS Inc. Ships Handheld Portable Vehicle Navigation System
5 November 1998
DATUS Inc. Announces First Shipments of the World's First Handheld Portable Vehicle Navigation System With Built-In GPS Receiver, Address-to-Address Routing and Turn-by-Turn Voice Instructions
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(AutomotiveWire)--Nov. 4, 1998--DATUS Inc. reported today that it has begun shipping its RouteFinder PNA handheld portable vehicle navigation system.
Potential OEMs, resellers, end-users and the press may see a complete demonstration of the PNA at the Daewoo Telecom booth (Booth L216) in the Las Vegas Convention Center at the Comdex trade show Nov. 16-20, 1998.
The PNA makes use of publicly available satellite positioning signals and detailed digital map data cards to automatically generate turn-by-turn driving directions between two street addresses.
Using advanced text-to-speech technology, voice instructions are automatically communicated to the driver as he approaches each turn. Instructions include not only the direction of the next turn, but also the street name and distance to the next turn.
A backlit 4.1" LCD screen supplements the voice instructions with the driver's choice of moving map, route information, or a graphic display of the next two upcoming turns.
"We believe that portability, affordability and ease-of-use are the keys to selling vehicle navigation systems in the U.S. market," said Andy Khanna, president of DATUS Inc. "At less than half the price of integrated systems, and with easy portability between vehicles and cities, the PNA is destined to become a valuable tool for mobile professionals and field sales, delivery and service personnel.
"The PNA is not only portable and affordable, it is also one of the most full-featured vehicle navigation systems yet to be introduced to the U.S. market," explained Mike Higgins, director of marketing at DATUS. "In addition to navigation, it includes an extensive points of interest database, a personal address book, a four-function calculator, a calendar and optional two-way wireless data communication."
The Global Positioning System (GPS), developed and maintained by the U.S. Department of Defense, is the foundation of the concept behind the PNA. The system consists of 24 satellites circling the globe emitting positioning signals. A GPS receiver on the ground can use these signals to determine its position on a map, typically to within 50 feet. Best of all, GPS may be used free of charge by anyone who owns a GPS receiver.
"The accuracy and economy of using GPS makes the PNA the most cost-effective way to direct drivers to their destinations," Higgins said. "Its ability to save time also makes it a valuable tool for limousine and taxi drivers, as well as emergency response organizations, such as home security, police, fire and ambulance services."
DATUS expects the PNA to also sell well in the high-end consumer market. "One of the PNA's most useful features is its built-in points of interest database, which includes over 30 categories, including restaurants, hotels, gas stations, tourist attractions, banks and ATMs," said Robert Capp, president of Mobile Technology Sales Inc., a DATUS reseller. "You can locate points of interest by searching within a five mile radius of your current position or within an entire city. With the press of a button, the PNA calculates the best route to the destination of your choice."
The RouteFinder PNA main unit retails for $995 and removable digital map data packs begin at $349. Initial distribution in the United States is being handled by Mobile Technology Sales Inc. of Brentwood, Calif. (www.mobilesales.com) and Centron Industries Inc. International inquiries should be directed to DATUS Inc.
DATUS Inc. (www.datusinc.com) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Daewoo Telecom Ltd., part of the Daewoo Group of Seoul, Korea. The Daewoo Group was ranked 18th in the 1997 Fortune Global 500 list of the largest industrial companies in the world.
Note to editors: Product review samples are available now directly from DATUS Inc. High-resolution color pictures of the RouteFinder PNA and data sheets in Adobe Acrobat format may be downloaded from the DATUS web site at www.datusinc.com.
RouteFinder PNA is a trademark of DATUS Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
