Abstract
Dr. Saad Abdulaziz Al Mubayedh
General Manager
Transport Hi-Tech Consultant
Dubai, UAE
Email: [email protected]
Jamil Ahmad
GIS Specialist
Transport Hi-Tech Consultant, Dubai UAE
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Navigation systems are becoming standard in-vehicle equipment nowadays. The demand for in-vehicle navigation systems has been increasing through the years due to increase in traffic, population and road network. The availability of navigation systems and services and their integration with other Utilities is emerging rapidly, particularly in Middle East.
In this paper, we will talk about our experience in developing digital navigable maps and in-vehicle navigation systems for GCC countries. We will also identify areas were such systems/applications can be of great benefit to organizations in government as well as private sectors.
A state-of-the-art navigation system can be divided into the components:
- The map database
- Navigation Software
- Hardware to run the software and map storage
- The positioning sensors (GPS)
A first step toward location intelligence is acquiring the right set of spatial data to include in any navigation system. The data gathered will form the basis for all subsequent navigation and location intelligence analysis and reporting, so many factors are important to consider: quality, vintage and coverage to name a few.
EASYNAV : EasyNav is a personal navigation system that runs on any PocketPC running on Windows CE. The EasyNav software and map data are loaded onto the PDA through SD card. Once the maps are loaded, the user can customize the navigation preferences, such as which Points of Interest categories to display, routing preference, volume and voice control etc. The user can also select which type of voice style (male, female) will be used to issue audible turning directions.
EasyNav is a state-of-the-art, full-featured personal/in-car GPS navigation solution specially designed for the PocketPC/PDAs. EasyNav delivers blazing fast performance on all latest model Pocket PCs using the Intel XScale or compatible processors to support the most robust GPS navigation experience in real time.
Presently EasyNav covers all 7 Emirates in UAE upto street level with more than 14,000 Points of Interests in 60 categories like Hotels, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Hospitals, Schools, and Mosques etc. EasyNav has user customizable routing, 3D map display, voice guidance, way points, Day/Night modes, Auto GPS configuration, compatible with Bluetooth GPS and many other features.
THTC is also preparing digital navigable maps of other Middle East countries and will incorporate them in EasyNav soon. The software can also be customized for a particular need of any organization.
