New Technologies on Honda’s Car Navigation System
Honda Motor Co Ltd., the second largest Japanese auto seller, has recently announced that it has adopted two new technologies in its original equipment car navigation system manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Corp., which is available in the fully-remodeled Fit.
One of the two technologies is the distribution of only data. It has been an upgraded from the original map information – the differential data – for the car navigation system through the use of a mobile phone.
A demonstrator from Honda said, “We are planning to employ this technology as the standard option in our compatible car navigation systems.”
The other technology is the “safety confirmation system”. It allows the driver to send information about his or her safety to e-mail addresses registered by personal computer, even before an earthquake with an intensity of a low five or stronger takes place.
This system will not just be found in Fit but as well in the existing models equipped with a car navigation system compatible with “Internavi Premium Club”, which is Honda’s automotive information providing service. It was just first mounted on the Fit.
The information conveyed under the differential map data are those on major roads only, like on expressways and toll roads.
However, if you are to buy the new Fit, you will have the chance to get the differential date for updating the map information on areas like the Kisarazu Interchange and Kisarazu Junction on the Metropolitan Inter-City Expressway (which was open to traffic in 2007), along with the Hachioji Junction and Akiruno Interchange. This version has been provided as the “2007 October Edition). It has a volume of 386 Kbytes. The arrival of the next version is expected on December 22 this year, when the Central Circular Shinjuku Route will be completed.
To upgrade the regular map data, a DVD medium can be used. The user will be able to receive one free DVD within three years of purchasing a Fit. And, the differential data will be provided for one year from either the date of purchase of the Fit or the acquisition of the DVD.
After the said one-year period, the consumer should purchase an upgrade DVD of map data to be able to continuously receive the differential data distribution service. A demonstrator from Honda said that the expected price of the map data DVD will be approximately US$106, though the company holds no decision for now.
The use of the latest safety confirmation system allows the navigation screen to display a warning sign when an earthquake with an intensity of a low five or stronger occurs within about 30 km from the present position or on a route to the destination.
The demonstrator said, “Not many drivers notice earthquakes while driving… Our service can reduce secondary disasters.”
So, how does it work? According to an article in techron.nikkeibp.co.jp, Tech-On! Asked whether the system is able to display the warning sign several to several tens of seconds earlier than the occurrence of earthquake by utilizing the Earthquake Early Warning service provided to public by Japan’s Meteorological Agency from Oct 1, 2007.”
The demonstrator said, “That involves many problems because the system uses the mobile phone network when the car is moving at a high speed.” And so, “We cannot predict how efficiently we can compensate for the delay generated in communication lines. Digital terrestrial broadcasting is better suited to sending early warnings,” he added.
Technologies aren’t actually perfect, but they were created to help in the most of it could possibly offer. Innovations exist so, in time, such technologies will be made even better.
One of the two technologies is the distribution of only data. It has been an upgraded from the original map information – the differential data – for the car navigation system through the use of a mobile phone.
A demonstrator from Honda said, “We are planning to employ this technology as the standard option in our compatible car navigation systems.”
The other technology is the “safety confirmation system”. It allows the driver to send information about his or her safety to e-mail addresses registered by personal computer, even before an earthquake with an intensity of a low five or stronger takes place.
This system will not just be found in Fit but as well in the existing models equipped with a car navigation system compatible with “Internavi Premium Club”, which is Honda’s automotive information providing service. It was just first mounted on the Fit.
The information conveyed under the differential map data are those on major roads only, like on expressways and toll roads.
However, if you are to buy the new Fit, you will have the chance to get the differential date for updating the map information on areas like the Kisarazu Interchange and Kisarazu Junction on the Metropolitan Inter-City Expressway (which was open to traffic in 2007), along with the Hachioji Junction and Akiruno Interchange. This version has been provided as the “2007 October Edition). It has a volume of 386 Kbytes. The arrival of the next version is expected on December 22 this year, when the Central Circular Shinjuku Route will be completed.
To upgrade the regular map data, a DVD medium can be used. The user will be able to receive one free DVD within three years of purchasing a Fit. And, the differential data will be provided for one year from either the date of purchase of the Fit or the acquisition of the DVD.
After the said one-year period, the consumer should purchase an upgrade DVD of map data to be able to continuously receive the differential data distribution service. A demonstrator from Honda said that the expected price of the map data DVD will be approximately US$106, though the company holds no decision for now.
The use of the latest safety confirmation system allows the navigation screen to display a warning sign when an earthquake with an intensity of a low five or stronger occurs within about 30 km from the present position or on a route to the destination.
The demonstrator said, “Not many drivers notice earthquakes while driving… Our service can reduce secondary disasters.”
So, how does it work? According to an article in techron.nikkeibp.co.jp, Tech-On! Asked whether the system is able to display the warning sign several to several tens of seconds earlier than the occurrence of earthquake by utilizing the Earthquake Early Warning service provided to public by Japan’s Meteorological Agency from Oct 1, 2007.”
The demonstrator said, “That involves many problems because the system uses the mobile phone network when the car is moving at a high speed.” And so, “We cannot predict how efficiently we can compensate for the delay generated in communication lines. Digital terrestrial broadcasting is better suited to sending early warnings,” he added.
Technologies aren’t actually perfect, but they were created to help in the most of it could possibly offer. Innovations exist so, in time, such technologies will be made even better.
posted by Patti @ 7:46 PM
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