JP
Navigon, TomTom and others are doing their best to make the on-screen view of your GPS look as much as possible as real-life, but if you really want realism why not just look outside? That’s the approach Blaupunkt are taking with their new Travel Pilot systems: a video camera on the back of the GPS captures real-time footage of the view ahead, onto which is overlaid directional information.
Check out the demo video of Blaupunkt’s Travel Pilot system in action after the cut
Similarly, the GPS can monitor speed signs and alert you if you’re going over the speed limit. Many GPS systems already have the ability to tell you road speed limits, but their information is based on potentially out-of-date databases rather than what the actual signs are saying.
Two Travel Pilot systems will be available initially, the 500 and 700; both have video navigation as well as interactive voice controls, DVB-T digital TV, live traffic reports, media player functionality (supporting DivX, H.264, MPEG-2, QuickTime, WMV, XviD, AAC, MP2, MP3, OGG and WMA files) and Bluetooth for use as a hands-free kit. The Travel Pilot 700 also has internet access, email and a VoIP client.
Internal memory is 8GB and the units use a 500MHz ARM9 processor and 266MHz DSP coprocessor. In the case of the 700, at least, WiFi b/g is apparently supported. Of course, if you’re in heavy traffic or fog then the view ahead might not be as useful; thankfully a standard map is an alternative option.
[via NaviGadget]
