The genie is now out of the bottle in terms of Sat Nav capability so where does the technology go now? It goes to the marketing and delivery of sat nav systems to the mass market.

Now many aftermarket Sat Nav systems are available to buy in New Zealand, and all of these have their merits. The latest step from VDO Dayton makes the difference clear and simple however.

Thanks to the combined efforts of VDO Dayton and mapping company GeoSmart, installed Sat Nav has become a reality for New Zealand motorists buying new cars.

As part of Siemens VDO Automotive multinational company, VDO Dayton nav systems are now available as a dealer option by new car dealers.

Holden, Honda, Kia, Peugeot, Mitsubishi, Ssangyong and Nissan have embraced the Sat Nav technology, and their dealerships throughout New Zealand will be offering integrated VDO Dayton as an optional accessory.

BMW New Zealand was the first company to launch VDO Dayton Sat Nav onto the local market, and Ford New Zealand is also committed to in-car navigation.

For those who have been under a rock for the past two years, here’s how it all works:

In-car Sat Nav is an integrated electronics system that instantly and continuously pinpoints a vehicle’s location using a minimum of three, and up to five, satellites.

Using GeoSmart’s "SmartNAV" mapping CD that’s supplied with the VDO Dayton hardware, and signals from the satellites, the system automatically plots the required route and guides the driver - using a combination of audible and visual instructions - to the required destination.

There’s even a ‘home’ button that will direct the drive home, turn by turn, from anywhere in New Zealand.

In-car Sat Nav uses a VDO display screen, or where possible, the vehicle’s colour screen, to show a map and clear on-screen guidance symbols. These are combined with pleasant spoken instructions, and when Sat Nav is fully integrated, work in conjunction with the vehicle’s factory in-car audio system.

The driver keys in his or her destination with a remote control. Important locations such as airports, banks, petrol stations and car parks can be selected from an alphabetical list, as well as a comprehensive list of points of interest.

The screen then gives various options, such as ‘fastest route’ or ‘shortest route’.

Sat Nav instantly plots the route, and you can see a map that has a zoom in/zoom out function.

Once underway you follow your progress on a map, while straight-ahead or left and right arrows, and voice instruction, progressively advise of any upcoming turns.

Miss an instruction and Sat Nav will ask you to make a u-turn, when safe to do so. If no u-turn is made, Sat Nav then plots a revised course.

It’s a seamless, integrated and user-friendly system.

An additional add-on to the product is the NZ Automobile Association Travel Guide that includes accommodation, eating out, shopping, activities and much more. The guide contains detailed information and photos that can be searched under a web browser environment that’s part of the Sat Nav system.

NZ Automobile Association Travel Guide is contained in the SmartNAV CD and is accessed via an additional one-off purchase that can be made at any time.

Unlike cheaper portable generic GPS systems that rely solely on satellites for positioning, the dealer-installed VDO Dayton Sat Nav also features a gyro and is connected to the vehicle’s speed sensor.

This is known as a ‘dead reckoning’ system.

Even with the satellite communication turned off, VDO Dayton Sat Nav can still accurately pinpoint the vehicle’s location using the gyro, speed sensor and in-built digitised mapping.

This feature is critical as satellite communication is often lost in built-up areas with high-rise buildings such as central Auckland, and when going through tunnels or in undercover car parks.

The in-car Sat Nav system was released and visually demonstrated at the recent National Motorshow in Hamilton.

You can also find out more about VDO Dayton Sat Nav by visiting www.satnav.co.nz l