AvMap, an Italian GPS maker, announced that it will make its Geosat 6 “Drive Safe” satellite navigation system available as a standalone unit.  The unit was originally developed for use in the Peugeot 107, packed with safety and other unique features, but was so popular that it’s now available to the mass market. 

The Geosat 6, which measures a compact 133 x 83 x 21mm, includes the largest 16:9 widescreen on the market with a 4.8″ touch-screen, according to the press release.  Among other things, the unit features some rather unique safety features- including a built-in breathalyzer that should let you know if you’ve had a little to much to drink. 

Other common features include Bluetooth for hands-free operation, and a text-to-speech function that will announce street names and turns to keep driver’s eyes on the road.  The never-forgotten trip computer is also included that provides an overview of the journey- including average speed, top speed, stop time, etc. but also includes a unique “stop planner” function that lets you plan for lunch and refueling stops, while incorporating the stops into your overall journey in the trip computer.  Older unit’s “distance to destination” information was never truly accurate because it didn’t include any stop time.

The Geosat unit uses the U-blox LEA-5s GPS receiver module to work its magic.  The LEA-5S boasts a “Time-To-First-Fix” of less than one second, enabling drivers to instantly know which direction they need to take as soon as they switch on the navigator.  AvMap credits the accuracy and efficiency of the Geosat to the new 50-channel U-blox 5 positioning engine that’s also behind the instant-fix function it boasts. 

AvMap had been waiting for the new GPS module from U-blox to showcase its new device and what it was capable of doing.  Vice Versa, U-blox had the perfect opportunity for its new module to shine in a new consumer-driven unit.  “U-blox’ long-term roadmap of pin-to-pin compatible modules enabled us to quickly and easily integrate the LEA-5S as soon as it became available. This enabled us to introduce our products into the market at record speed, benefiting from all the technological advances of the U-blox 5 engine without having to redesign our PCBs,” said Simone Lazzarini, AvMap CEO. “We are delighted to have partnered with U-blox for their unique combination of state-of-the-art GPS technology and unrivalled level of customer support”.

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Entry was posted on Friday, August 15th, 2008 at 6:05 pm under Auto, Navigation, Technology.

Read more entries by Justin Montgomery.
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