TomTom and Navteq (a Nokia company) are developing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that will not only help people obey the rules of the road, but will also act as a tour guide, recommending good restaurants and directing users to tourist sites. The system will assist drivers by prompting the driver to change gear to maximise fuel economy, emit a warning signal if there is imminent danger of a collision and alert them to damage to their vehicle at the end of a journey.
The system can provide road users with a three-dimensional view of the route ahead, detailing gradients, obstacles and road width – a set of info particularly useful to lorry drivers. Ultimately, the aim is to create a “crash-proof” car, with ADAS fitted as standard to all vehicles and even able to intervene to cut speed or avoid obstacles.
Fleets of vans with video cameras, global positioning systems and gyroscopes are now close to completing their filming of all Britain’s major roads and have started on smaller routes. This will enable the new sat navs to display buildings, bridges, traffic lights and road signs.
DK Eyewitness Travel is working with Navteq to supply restaurant reviews, hotel reservation numbers and guides to historic monuments. Drivers could be told when they are approaching a tourist attraction, and even ask for the opening times.
The systems are expected to be generally available within three years, although car manufacturers such as BMW and Audi are expected to install the new devices in all their new models from now on. Many of the features – such as local guides and collision warning systems – are already available in luxury car models.
“The 3-D mapping taking place now will allow us to bring huge advances in the information that sat navs can provide for drivers,” said Rik Temmink, of Tele Atlas (TomTom mapping).
Good luck TomTom, we can’t wait to see the finished product
Mon, Oct 27, 2008
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