BMW Group Middle East completes digital mapping of the GCC countries
Alfardan Automobiles, the exclusive importer for BMW Group cars in Qatar, announced today the launch of the GPS road navigation system. Following the successful launches in UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with the launch of in-car GPS navigation in Qatar, BMW Group Middle East celebrates the accomplishment of the digital mapping of the entire GCC.
The BMW Navigation System is considered the latest in automotive innovation and the result of years of technical development. Auto Bild, the renowned German car magazine, voted it the best navigation system in the car industry among 16 top brands tested.
The comprehensive computer navigation system speaks to the driver, giving him step-by-step instructions on where to go or turn to reach his final destination, and shows an accurate colour route map to follow. It can also be activated by voice control.
“The system will benefit the fast-growing tourism industry in Qatar. Tourists renting BMW or even driving their own car into Doha can now enjoy spending a memorable vacation without having to worry about getting lost. They can shop, dine and find any destination all within the ease of a few buttons. Moreover, Qataris and residents can find new routes to destinations that they previously drove to out of habit. It is simply faster and safer to use the in-car navigation system,” said Omar Alfardan, President of Alfardan Automobiles. .
The BMW Navigation System relies on GPS (Global Positioning System) in its operation. Signals from up to six of the 24 NavStar GPS satellites are received by the car’s navigation computer.
The computer then compares the satellite positioning data with information such as speed, turning radius, and distance travelled, all of which is generated from the on-board components, thereby determining the vehicle’s precise location at any point.
Meanwhile, digital maps stored on a CD-Rom are retrieved from a special CD-computer, housed in the BMW’s trunk, and compared to the vehicle’s position co-ordinates. The accuracy of the system is enhanced down to one metre, using the wheel sensors on the car. This technology will be available as an option on all BMW models although it is included as standard on mnay model versions in Qatar.
In the hardware, a comprehensive navigation menu and database allow for a unique line-up of intelligent features activated by way of a simple and intuitive turn-and-push-knob operating system that puts the driver in control without distracting him or her from the road ahead.
The driver simply enters first the name of the city that he wants to go to, and then the name of the street of his destination, either by going through the alphabetical entry system or by choosing from an index list.
Once the driver has entered his destination, and in order to narrow down his entry to the exact destination, he simply clicks on “information on destination” which gives him an index of locations, such as hotels, restaurants, hospitals, petrol stations, monuments, mosques, coffee shops, tourist attractions and many others.
By clicking on hotels, for example, the driver is given a list with the name, location and distance-to all hotels in the vicinity of the destination entered. By clicking on his choice, the driver is then guided step-by-step to his destination, with accurate voice and visual instructions telling him to turn right or left after a certain distance, or to make a U-turn or take the next exit, etc.
The driver can choose also how to get to his destination, either through the fastest route (time-wise) or the shortest route (distance-wise), or through the most use of main-roads or highways.
The system then takes a few seconds to calculate the car’s exact position and the distance to the destination – both of which are displayed at all times -- and plots the route to destination as per the driver’s preference. Guidance is communicated audibly, with a pleasant female voice, and visually either with Destination Guidance (arrows and icons) or as a detailed digital colour map on the screen.
The map, which can be viewed on a scale ranging from 100 metres to 50 kilometres, shows the whole route marked in white, and the car moving along the map with absolute precision.
Through a feature called Continuous Route Monitoring, if the driver fails to follow the instructions and takes a wrong turn, the computer automatically calculates a new route within seconds and then displays a new route to the destination.
Alternate Route Planning allows a driver encountering slow-moving traffic ahead to request alternate routing to the desired location, or only for a specified number of kilometres according to his choice, allowing him to circumvent the traffic jams and reach his destination quicker.
If the driver does not want to take his eyes off the road, instead of using the knob he can simply talk to the computer and give it instructions through voice control, which it will obey immediately. Commands like “Save Destination”, “Destination Guidance”, and “Scale 500 metres” are immediately translated into action.
“For example, you can ask the computer for map or destination guidance, or you can ask for a different scale for the map or for a new route. You can also ask it to list all petrol stations, car parks, hotels, or restaurants either at your current location or at your destination. All of this is done by voice instruction,” Alfardan concluded.
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© Press Release 2003
