to U.S. automaker’s navigation system helps motorists plan trip from A to B THIS SPRING, Oldsmobile will be the first to offer a navi- gation/information computer in some of its vehicles. The new navigation system will help motorists plan the most effi- cient route to a destination using an on-board computer and satellite tracking system. initially, the navigation comput- er will be available as an option on the Oldsmobile 88 Royale LSS in parts of California. Oldsmobile has plans to make il available across the United States within two years. In Canada, General Motors offi- cials are waiting to see if the navi- gation system: is commercially suc- cessful before proceeding. If it is, it could be here by 1996. The Oldsmobile Navigation/ Information system uses Global Positioning satellites (GPS) to determine.the precise location of the vehicle. A sophisticated on-board com- puter with a built-in roadway data base calculates the most convenient route to a given destination, and displays it on an LCD screen. The four-inch (10 cm) color LCD screen and keypad is attached to the center console and can be 66 A menu-screen asks for details of the desired destination. 99 used by both driver and passenger. The system,. which has been undergoing trials for the past five years, has been designed for ease of use and speed of operition. - ht works. like this: the operator activates the system with the push of a button, and a menu-sereen asks for the desired destination. By guiding the cursor and press- ing an “enter” key, the operator pinpoints the required destination. The destination can be specific, such as an intersection or a street address. or it can be general, such as pliuce of public interest. a tourist attraction, library or hospital. The LCD sereen will then dis- play a map of the area with the pro- posed route highlighted in color. As the driver begins the journey, the distance to the destination, and direction of each turn, is displayed on the screen, The on-board coni- puter is constantly aware of the vehicle’s current location. An important feature of the sys tem is voice warning that advises the driver of an upcoming turn before it is reached. This ensures the driver's alten- tion is not diverted fram the road. Even if a turn is missed, the naviga- tion system ciut re-route the journey with the touch of a single key. On-board navigation is of par- AUTOMOTION ticular benefit to rental car compa- nies. The first cars to receive the nav- igation system will be a fleet of Avis rental cars in San Jose. California. One hundred Oldsmobile 887s will be put into service over the next few months. “One of the major advantages of the system is its ability te pinpoint places which are of particular importance to newcomers to an area.” said John Forsythe. vice president of operations for Avis. “tourist attractions, airports, retail stores. hotels, restaurants and gas stations, to name a few. And of course. the safety aspect of the sys- tem is critical.” Getting lost in crime-prone areas of major U.S. cities is a haz- ard feared by many tourists, The navigation system can help driver's avoid this by indicating major routes and correct turn-off points. John Rock, Oldsmobile’s General Manager, believes naviga- tion systems have a tremendous fulure potential as an automotive accessory. “We see the potential market for this device in both the business sec- tor — reallors/travelling sales per-— sons, where additional revenue could be generated through a more efficient use of time — and within the tourist industry. which would benefit from an casy-to-operate, in- car route planning and guidance system.” Rock said. “In addition, and for all the same reasons. we also see imerest from individual customers.” ft could also be of use to taxi drivers, firefighters, police, couriers and delivery services, The navigation system has another benefit: it will help reduce automobile potlution and save gasoline by reducing the number of unnecessiry kilometres driven by lost drivers. lt is also a first step in the implementation of the multi-billion dollar Intelligent Highway Vehicle Highway System being developed in the United States. . Future navigation systems will nol only show the driver which route to inivel, but indicate. which roads are congested and which allernate routes to take. Instead of fiddling with a piap or just guessing which way to go. motorists will have a handy tool that takes the worry out of trivel- ting in unfamiliar places. Pepegicle BC RECYCLING HOTLINE 732-9253 BRAKE SPECIALISTS sane A.A. - A.R.A. - APPROVED BRAKES - LIFETIME WARRANTY (on shoes or pads} OUR 36TH YEAR 17 PEMBERTON AVE. N.VAN. JAYLORMOTIVE FREE ESTIMATES 995-7455 INDEPENDENT SPECIALISTS WORKING FOR ORKING FOR YOU CUSTOM LEASE’S STRAIGHT FORWARD, LOW OVERHEAD APPROACH SAVES YOU MONEY! CUSTOM LEASE ALLOWS YOU TO SELECT ANY MAKE OR MODEL OF NEW OR USED VEHICLE CUSTOM LEASE ALLOWS YOU, THE CUSTOMER, TO CREATE THE LEASE THAT SUITS YOUR NEEDS CUSTOM. 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