TomTom team with Toyota and Renault to deliver built-in sat-nav solutions
Leading navigation solutions provider, TomTom announced at the opening of the 79th Geneva International Motor Show yesterday, that Toyota has extended its relationship with TomTom to feature the second generation of TomTom’s semi-embedded portable navigation solution in select vehicles. The announcement illustrates growing demand for semi-embedded navigation. This device is specially designed for use with the in-dash Toyota TNS 410 audio, video and navigation system.
TomTom’s latest, semi-embedded device offers consumers all the advantages of easy-to-use portable navigation, yet will fit seamlessly into a vehicle dashboard. It is also totally portable so it can be removed from the audio system where it sits to be used in other cars and easily replaced. The device provides full audio integration with the car speakers for high quality audio when using spoken instructions, or making hands-free phone calls. Toyota customers will enjoy access to a wide range of TomTom’s content and services, including map and software updates available through TomTom’s free software application TomTom HOME.
“The fact that Toyota has once again signed up with TomTom is an important validation of TomTom’s ability to bring the best quality navigation and services experience to the car, in particular small and medium-sized cars,” said Giles Shrimpton, managing director of TomTom’s Automotive business unit. “Whether it is a semi-embedded or embedded solution we want to ensure that customers are able to receive all of TomTom’s exclusive features and we are thrilled to work with Toyota to make this happen.”
The product offering, which will be available in select Toyota vehicles in Europe in Q4 2009, is the result of joint innovation between TomTom and FUJITSU TEN and represents a continued focus on innovative navigation solutions. This second generation product was recently recognised as an Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering Award Honoree at CES.
TomTom also revealed the details of the Carminat TomTom embedded navigation solution co-developed with Renault. The Carminat TomTom will open up embedded navigation to the mass market with a €490 price tag and wide availability on Renault’s small to medium car lines. Additionally, it will offer the unique features of TomTom’s portable navigation devices which make driving stress free, safe and efficient. The Carminat TomTom can be fully updated with the latest map changes and a host of content without the owner ever having to leave their home.
In an embedded navigation first, users of the Carminat TomTom solution can easily and quickly update their navigation with the latest maps, safety cameras, Points of Interest (POIs) or voices to ensure the system is always up to date. Traditionally, embedded navigation customers had to send away for CDs or go to a store to get additional navigation content. Users of the Carminat TomTom solution simply access TomTom HOME, TomTom’s free desktop software, where they download the latest content from the Internet onto an SD card which can then be installed in an SD Card slot next to the Carminat TomTom screen.
The content and services available to Carminat TomTom users includes TomTom’s map improvement technology Map Share™ which will allow customers to deal with the stress of unexpected road changes by making improvements to their map instantly. Additionally, Map Share is the only solution that enables drivers to share and receive corrections with the TomTom community of 30 million users. This way Carminat TomTom users can always benefit from the most up-to-date maps.
The Carminat TomTom solution, which will be TomTom branded, was designed to be easy to use and ensures drivers can enjoy a safe and stress-free drive from the moment they turn on the system. It features a simple and intuitive user interface, a large 5.8 inch screen and a built in RDS-TMC traffic receiver. In addition it features an extensive set of safety features including the Help Me! menu which includes information such as emergency and breakdown service numbers, directions to the nearest hospital, car maintenance advice and first aid instructions.
“Despite the high demand for embedded navigation it remained expensive, complicated, mainly limited to luxury cars only and featured content and maps that were outdated before the car ever left the dealer,” said Harold Goddijn, TomTom’s CEO. “We are pleased to be able to deliver with our partner Renault, what drivers have demanded from embedded navigation: easy-to-use, looks great built into the dashboard, as well as meets all the automotive quality and safety requirements.”
“Renault is fully satisfied with the Renault-TomTom partnership. This collaboration will allow many customers to access a perfectly integrated on-board navigation system that is available at a fair price. It is a real breakthrough for OEM navigation devices,” said Patrick Pelata, Renault’s Chief Operating Officer.
The Carminat TomTom solution will be available from Spring 2009 across Western Europe from Є490. It will initially launch on the new Renault Clio, but will soon be in the new Renault Megane and Scenic.
TomTom’s latest, semi-embedded device offers consumers all the advantages of easy-to-use portable navigation, yet fits seamlessly into a vehicle dashboard. It is also totally portable so it can be removed from the audio system where it sits to be used in other cars and easily replaced. The device provides full audio integration with the car speakers for high quality audio when using spoken instructions, or making hands-free phone calls. Toyota customers will enjoy access to a wide range of TomTom’s content and services, including map and software updates available through TomTom’s free software application TomTom HOME.
“The fact that Toyota has once again signed up with TomTom is an important validation of TomTom’s ability to bring the best quality navigation and services experience to the car, in particular small and medium-sized cars,” said Giles Shrimpton, managing director of TomTom’s Automotive business unit. “Whether it is a semi-embedded or embedded solution we want to ensure that customers are able to receive all of TomTom’s exclusive features and we are thrilled to work with Toyota to make this happen.”
The product offering, which will be available in select Toyota vehicles in Europe in Q4 2009, is the result of joint innovation between TomTom and FUJITSU TEN and represents a continued focus on innovative navigation solutions. This second generation product was recently recognised as an Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering Award Honoree at CES.
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