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Routeing to a pinpoint

30th June 1994, Page 22
30th June 1994
Page 22
Page 22, 30th June 1994 — Routeing to a pinpoint
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Navigation based on a in-cab system using digital maps and interchangeable smart cards is available for CVs.

l)y Danny Coughlan • Blaupunkt, the vehicle communications and entertainment division of Robert Bosch, is developing a stand-alone version of its new navigation system for commercial vehicles. The system is already available as part of the Berlin RDM 303 CD/radio-cassette package which was launched at the Tokyo Motor Show last October and could be on sale in the UK by next year.

The Berlin also offers RDS (Radio Data System), the traffic information gathering service which is being introduced across Europe. RDS-equipped CD and cassette players automatically interrupt a recording to allow you to hear a radio bulletin. This feature is expected to be included in the simplified navigation system.

From this month the Berlin and other top-line Blaupunkt products will also offer TIM (Traffic Memo), which recalls traffic bulletins. At the touch of a button the last four traffic updates are replayed from a solid state recording system. TIM should be most useful at the start of the working day as it records and time-stamps the encoded messages transmitted by local and national radio stations while the vehicle is parked.

The navigation system replaces TravelPilot, the in-cab map display launched two years ago. The redesign offers a simpler arrow display which, says Blaupunkt, is easier and safer to use.

Navigation is based on detailed digitised maps stored on interchangeable smart cards. A combination of satellite location, compass direction and dead reckoning determines the vehicle's position to within 50ft—roughly the length of a large truck. The driver types in his destination street name, then simply follows the arrows from A to B.

The system cannot be confused by deviating from the advised route; it simply takes another look at the map and decides a new course. Incorporating incoming RDS traffic jam information will enable the system to change course automatically to avoid hold-ups.

THE HARDWARE

Blaupunkt's new system comprises a satellite location aerial, an electric compass, and a microprocessor linked to left and right hand ABS wheel sensors. The aerial locates three of the 26 Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites which ring the earth.

The compass monitors the vehicle's direction and records major turns; distance is measured using the average of the two ABS pulse signals.

The microprocessor's memo

ry recalls the truck's last known position, for example from the night before. The GPS provides a double check in case the vehicle has moved while parked, for example on a ferry. Once it has positioned itself accurately the distance and direction information take over to pinpoint the truck relative to every street corner.

IMPRESSIONS

Commercial Motor tested the new Blaupunkt navigation system in Germany. We were parked outside the front door of Blaupunkt's Hildesheim base and asked the system to direct us to the town square, a distance of 8km. We could just have easily asked for directions to Dortmund or Dover: the computation takes little more than a second.

The 100mm dashboard display screen showed a large arrow giving the general direction of the town along with an exact distance to the market square. We set off and before reaching the factory's main gate the display was advising us to take the first available left turn on to the main road.

Having completed the turn the display then told us we could build up our speed; the next turn was not for 4km. A large arrow pointing straight ahead indicated that we simply had to follow our nose, passing all the side roads and directly through all the crossroads and junctions along our path A slightly electronic female voice provided verbal instruction, allowing us to keep our eyes on the road.

So detailed are the digital maps they even record the number of lanes on any road. A kilometre before our next turn the voice advised to get into the left hand lane. The corresponding arrow, a dog leg manoeuvre left, appeared on the screen. A light bar appeared and brightened, providing a countdown to the exact junction. The system's accuracy makes it almost impossible to take a wrong turn. even in town. Even the side street next to our desired turn was displayed to aid visual reference. We continued, following instructions until the voice announced our arrival in the market square.

By around 1996, when the entire map of Europe's has been digitised, a driver loading in Birmingham will be able to call up a blow-by-blow account of how to reach a particular street in Gothenburg, Paris or Rome. The system cannot be confused by ferries, trains or tunnels, as global positioning relocates the truck once back outside.

The digital nature of the map information makes it possible to display low or weak bridge information. This and other data could also be updated automatically by regular transmissions encoded silently within the RDS traffic updates or discjockey reports. A plan is being studied to include Yellow Pages information so a driver could even find a Chinese takeaway en route.

The combined Berlin system currently costs over £5,000, but by 2000 Blaupunkt expects the the simplified navigation and traffic information combination to cost around 1600.

ll For a review of in-cab equipment see pages 34-36.


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