Location Based Systems

TRW Automotive Holdings is developing its second generation scalable airbag control unit (ACU) designed for the growing low-cost vehicle and emerging markets. This intelligent solution allows the ACU to be adapted within a vehicle platform to offer two options – standard and enhanced – for models sold within emerging territories and also for those exported to developed markets.

GPS personal tracking devices and applications are forecast to grow with a CAGR of 40 per cent, with both markets breaking $1 billion in 2017, new research by ABI Research claims. Senior analyst Patrick Connolly says, “The hardware market remained below 100,000 units in 2011. However, it is forecast to reach 2.5 million units in 2017, with significant growth in elderly, health, and lone worker markets. Dedicated devices can offer significant benefits, with insurance and liability increasingly encouraging th

IBM and the City of Zhenjiang, China, have announced that IBM is helping to transform the city's public transportation system. Zhenjiang will use hardware, software, services and technologies from the company’s research labs, all brought together through the IBM intelligent operations centre (IOC) for smarter cities, a solution that will serve as the central point of command for the city.

Navfree has announced it has reached its goal of building a 5.5 million global strong GPS navigation user base, to rival Nokia’s GPS navigation. Navmii, which launched the application two years ago, claimes it is now the number one mobile GPS navigation app in nine countries, and it is growing by 500,000 new users per month on iPhone and Android.

Trimble is partnering with Equity Red Star, a major UK insurer, to provide in-vehicle telematics technology and GeoManager driver safety solution. It will form part of Equity Red Star’s new risk and vehicle management solution, Equitrack, for the commercial motor and motor fleet sectors.

Measurement Devices Ltd (MDL), a leader in the design and development of robotic laser surveying and mapping technology, has acquired 100 per cent share in Thomas Engineering (TEC) Manotick, Ottawa, the company’s Canadian technical and distribution facility, as part of its strategy to create a global laser measurement, manufacturing and distribution and services business. The multi-million dollar acquisition enables MDL and TEC to launch a new business, MDL Canada, which will focus on sales and service to t

PTV has unveiled what it claims is a major new innovation: map& guide internet, the first cloud-based transport route planner. Hauliers and logistics companies may now use the map&guide software as a service (SaaS). They can simply plug in and use the software directly over the Internet - saving time and money, since neither installation nor maintenance is required. PTV says the inexpensive solution, costing just €49 (US$65) per month, is particularly attractive for small and medium-sized businesses.

As part of its strategy to offer platform-based solutions tailored to key industries, Verizon has launched a new practice focused on developing telematics solutions. Led by industry veteran Martin Thall, it leverage the company's wireless, cloud and mobility platforms to develop and deploy integrated telematics solutions for key industries including automotive and transportation. While Verizon currently offers a wide range of machine-to-machine solutions, the new practice will leverage the full breadth of t

Vehicle OEMs have traditionally focused on their core competency of vehicle usage and vehicle analysis, rather than transport operation. This has placed them at a disadvantage to independent aftermarket telematics vendors, whose core competence is in transport operation. OEMs have typically limited client contact after selling the vehicle. But this is expected to change once OEMs gradually start offering fleet management systems (FMS) as a standard in their models.

TomTom, via its joint venture partner AutoNavi Holdings, has announce a seven year agreement with Qoros Auto, an international automotive corporation. The partners will deliver HD Traffic, marking the first real time traffic customer for the newly expanded joint venture. In 2013 the first cars, aimed at young metropolitan users, will hit the streets in China equipped with HD Traffic, providing drivers with accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date traffic information available.