Driving in India is a tough task if you are not aware of routes. But
this task has been made easier by the new MapmyIndia navigator, which
is an in-car global positioning system (GPS) navigation device designed
by CE Info Systems based in New Delhi.
The device comes loaded with maps of Indian roads, both state- and
national- highways, linking together 55,000 towns and villages,
complete with landmarks. It can be placed on the dashboard or
windshield of a car, and functions via a satellite system.
MapmyIndia
navigator has real-time voice support for each and every road turn that
instructs the driver about current location as well as locations to be
arrived at.
The device offers entire details of streets, localities, landmarks,
ATMs, hospitals, and cafeterias, based in 18 major cities, including
Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore,
Chandigarh, Mohali, Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Thane, and Pune.
Presently, CE Info Systems is outsourcing the MapmyIndia navigator
device from Delphi and Amax. It's available in two variants; Delphi NAV
200, and Amax 06GP5A with built-in GPS (SirfStar III) having 3.5-inches
color touch-screen backed by Samsung 400 MHz processor. The
touch-screen even allows playing music, games, and viewing movies and
photos.
Rohan Verma, director of CE Info Systems, said that the market for
in-car GPS navigation systems is rising across the world. Last year, 20
million personal navigation devices were sold in the US, and another 30
million in Europe. In India, the product has been introduced only two
years ago, and is slowly catching on.
MapmyIndia navigator is priced at Rs 21,000 in Delhi, and Rs 22,000
outside Delhi, and can be purchased through the MapmyIndia.com Web
site.
Having used GPS in a car in US, I was quite excited about mapmyindia's
database. I have tried their content thro blackberry with build GPS. I
am testing the software for the past 2 months. This is useful in cities
( Bangalore ) to locate the addresses. However the database for the
coffee shops, shopping needs improvement. Reaching hotel back is good,
as you could bookmark places. I have book marked my client locations,
offices etc., However it behaves funny at times. For example it would
route thro a unwanted circle before taking you to destination. It
worked well for me in delhi, chennai, mumbai apart from hometown
bangalore. In the town of shimoga, it did not work. In essesence it is
a great tool to save fuel. You can reach destination. Another advantage
( the mobile phone version ), you can direct your taxi / auto in new
areas. They can not take a ride. In short it is nice functional
utility. But do not expect everything.
by Babu
from bangalore
on 09/12/07 07:12 PM
have you anything for GOA? An idea for free - as the navigator reaches
a milestone location landmark, you can put a recent camera image on the
device or a small video clip of the location. In Goa , it could be a
church or temple - visible landmarks. Would like your reaction to this
!
by Elgar Desa
from panjim, GOA
on 08/12/07 01:21 PM
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