Automotive Navigation SystemsThe invention of the automotive navigation systems has changed the way we have been driving cars and automobiles. It is based on an advanced technology that is guided by a satellite navigation system. It is known as a GPRS enabled system because it uses GPS to find the correct position data for locating a driver on the road within the database of the unit's map. As a result the unit can provide direction to the driver using the road database. If you are driving a car back from office and if your car is enabled with car navigation systems then the unit will provide you detailed information about all the roads that can take you home from office. This advanced car navigation systems in automobiles can even show the various stop lights on the way. This kind of driving using the car navigation systems is possible because of the distance data sensors attached to the drive-train of a car. In spite of the advance data that these car navigation systems can provide, you can still face signal loss in specific areas like in tunnels. There are different types of automotive navigation systems available and Alpine has claimed that they are the company to have devised the first car navigation systems in 1981. On the other hand, Honda has also claimed that they are the first ones to have created the car navigation systems in 1983. Honda is also responsible for developing a navigation system for automobiles called the Acura Legend in 1990. This was an analog system that used an accelerometer to find the location because the GPS system was not readily available at that time. Pioneer, one of the leading manufacturers of car audio systems claims that they developed the first GPRS enabled system in 1990. Magellan is another top of the line GPRS enabled system manufacturer who claimed that they had created first GPS-based navigation systems for automobiles in 1995. There are different types of automotive navigation systems available in the market today and they are come mostly built-in with the vehicles. A GPRS enabled system that uses the TomTom navigational system software uses different combinations like: · It uses a top view for the roadmap · It uses a top view for the roadmap where the roadmap can rotate with the automobile · It uses a bird's-eye view effectively to indicate the next turn or curve · It also uses a linear gauge for measuring distance One of the primary proprietors for automotive navigation systems format is CARiN. CARiN has been created by VDO/Dayton and today it is being used as navigation system for automobiles. CARiN stands for Car Information and Navigation. The original format uses a map from CD-ROM's that is replete with ISO Level 1 encoding. The maps in the car navigation systems in the CD-ROM comprise of the following files: · ABSTRACT · BIBLIOGR · CARINET · CARINDB · COPYRIGH Some of the top vehicle manufacturers like Rolls-Royce, BMW, Opel/Vauxhall, Mercedes, Rover, Ford, Renault and Peugeot use the above format of the car navigation systems. |