Location Based Systems

According to Continental, for the first time the in-car infotainment platform aids the integration of driver assistance functions with a camera system offering 360-degree surround view. Depending on the size of the vehicle, the system consists of at least four of Continental’s surround view cameras which capture the entire area around the vehicle.

ABI Research forecasts that the total number of software-as-a-service or SaaS-based subscriber units will increase from 1.06 million at the end of 2012 to 16.8 million on a global basis by the end of 2018. SaaS-based telematics services are defined as software-based telematics applications residing in the cloud (in either a public or private cloud infrastructure), where the intelligence or data processing essential to the functioning of the application is performed in the cloud rather than by software/ha

Ford Motor Company has made its first technology acquisition in thirteen years, with the purchase of startup company Livio, in a bid to accelerate its efforts to help drivers safely access content on their smartphone while on the road. Livio, which is based in the Detroit suburb of Ferndale, Michigan, develops software that enables drivers connect to their smartphones through their car radios or dashboard infotainment systems.

Machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions supplier Orbcomm has completed the acquisition of Comtech Mobile Datacom Corporation’s (Comtech) sensor enabled notification system (SENS) operation, which includes satellite hardware, network technology and web platforms. This acquisition supports Orbcomm’s multi-network operator strategy and strengthens its position as a provider of satellite and cellular communications for the M2M industry. The opportunity also complements Orbcomm’s recently acquired GlobalTrak busi

Infotainment and safety solutions provider Delphi Automotive is to debut its MyFi connecting with safety concept car at the IAA Frankfurt show, which the company says is unique in that it connects infotainment with active safety. By locating important information in the driver’s forward view, MyFi uses voice recognition, text-to-speech, large touch screens, reconfigurable displays and workload management technologies to tailor information to the driver depending on the driving environment. When linked wi

According to a new research report from analysts Berg Insight, the number of fleet management systems deployed in commercial vehicle fleets in North America was 3.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6 percent, this number is expected to reach 6.8 million by 2017. In Latin America, the number of installed fleet management systems is expected to increase from 1.6 million in quarter four 2012, growing at a CAGR of 16.3 per cent to reach 3.3 million in

New research by Transparency Market Research "Connected Car Market -Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013- 2019" , indicates that the global connected car market is expected to reach US$131.9 billion by 2019, growing at a CAGR of 34.7 per cent from 2013 to 2019. 4G/long-term evolution (LTE) technology is in a commanding position due to its lower operating costs associated with high data transmission volumes as compared to other technologies.

Nexcom’s VMC 3000 vehicle mounted computer is being used as an all-in-one system to manage changeable working conditions to optimise the logistics service of a company supplying mines in the Appalachian Mountains. Through the use of Red Dog Logistic’s software, VMC 3000 offers a comprehensive tracking system. With orders, vehicle details, traffic and weather information gathered and shared in real-time among drivers and dispatchers, the mining logistics service can deliver required material to mining site

After months of design, production and field trials, the RobuTAINeR intelligent autonomous vehicle (IAV), developed by Intelligent Transportation for Dynamic Environment (InTrade) was successfully demonstrated during two public showings at the port of Rouen in France and Dublin Ferry port in Ireland. RobuTAINeR is designed for container transport in small and medium-sized ports; the demonstrations enabled InTrade partners to show the operational effectiveness, capabilities and reliability of the RobuTAIN

UK company Quality Marking Systems has released its comments on a recent road safety article in the Road Safety Markings Association’s (RSMA’s) Top Marks magazine entitled ‘ERF at the forefront of improving road safety in Europe’. The article examines the growing importance of a well maintained road infrastructure and indicates that the European Union Road Federation (ERF) has initiated a very promising cooperation with the European Road Assessment Programme and the European Association of Vehicle Manuf