Navigation Gear Emerging as Heart of Mobile Information Systems

摘要

In Japan, car navigation systems are in wide use. According to Japan's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry, cumulative shipments of car navigation sys- tems in Japan by April exceeded 9.2 million units. Today, car navigation systems serve as devices for displaying the position of the car, for providing guidance on the best routes to take, and for providing entertainment as TV receivers or audio-video (A/V) displays for viewing DVD videos. In addition to these roles, however, car navigation systems are taking on other functions. Some are available, for example, with functions for gaining access to the Internet. Information service formats tailored tor automobiles are appearing. Known as telematics, these provide advanced information exchange services by combining a means of communication, such as mobile phones, with any one or several of a variety of information systems now in conventional use. For example, systems are being planned that will detect when a collision occurs and automatically call a specific person, a car dealer or insurance company.