Philips Car Systems to Demonstrate Vehicle Navigation System at L.A. Auto Show
29 December 1997
Philips Car Systems to Demonstrate Vehicle Navigation System at L.A. Auto Show
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 29 -- Philips Car Systems will demonstrate
its CARiN navigation system at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show in the Becker
Automotive Design Booth No. K700 in Kentia Hall in the Los Angeles Convention
Center.
Philips Car Systems distributor Tec-Masters, Inc. will have an array of
informational displays, hands-on CARiN demonstration systems, and even a
demonstration vehicle available to members of the media for test runs.
CARiN, now available nationwide for aftermarket installation, expands
consumer access to digital vehicle navigation technology previously available
only through luxury automobile accessory packages. The system includes a
navigation computer, integrated CD-ROM drive, LCD color display, infrared
remote control and GPS antenna array.
CARiN is the only navigation system that employs dead reckoning as its
primary navigational tool. Dead reckoning software uses an integrated
gyroscope and Philips' patented CD-ROM database to pinpoint the vehicle's
location, and then checks itself with Global Positioning System (GPS)
satellites for accuracy. This differs from other units that use GPS as their
sole basis for navigation. Through this leading technology, CARiN eliminates
problems caused by interference in places such as urban canyons or when a user
is caught between satellite links.
About the size of a vehicle CD player, the navigation computer is
sufficiently compact to mount under the rear deck, in the trunk, beneath the
seat or on the floor of the cargo area. The computer features an eight-
channel GPS receiver, a CD-ROM drive and an integrated gyroscope. A GPS
sensor can be mounted inconspicuously in a number of locations within the
vehicle to receive line-of-sight tracking information from at least three of
24 geosynchronous GPS satellites.
The system offers drivers both a visual display and verbal directions with
the option of a male or female voice in one of six languages including
American English, and Spanish.
Becker Automotive Design, a Los Angeles company that specializes in the
selection and installation of world class electronics, exterior styling, high
performance upgrades and custom interiors specifically suited to customers'
wants and needs, has installed CARiN in several celebrity vehicles. Actor
Wesley Snipes (White Men Can't Jump, One Night Stand) is awaiting Becker's
installation of CARiN in his Acura NSX and Toyota Land Cruiser.
Howard Becker, president and owner, Becker Automotive Design, prefers
CARiN over other brands because, "It's about the only commercially available
system that can audibly guide you to a destination without having to read a
map or look at a screen."
Gary Tuttle, a director for Tec-Masters, Inc. who will represent CARiN in
Becker's booth, said, "We are fortunate to have an opportunity to do the L.A.
Auto Show with someone like Howard Becker whose work is inspiring and exciting
and whose client list reads like a Hollywood who's who."
"CARiN's easy-to-use remote and route selection, automatic alternate
routing, CD-ROM mapping and emergency features add up to an accessory that
helps make driving both fun and safe," said Tuttle.
Philips Car Systems has global headquarters in Wetzlar, Germany, and U.S.
offices in Farmington Hills, Mich., Cheshire, Conn., and Atlanta, Ga. As a
unit of Philips Electronics N.V., Philips Car Systems has access to the
resources of one of the world's largest digital technology corporations with
262,500 employees in more than 60 countries and worldwide sales of
approximately $41 billion in 1996.
SOURCE Philips Car Systems