On Monday night, Navteq officially launched onto the Australian mapping scene with the release of its new Australian maps which have been under development since 2005. CNET.com.au was on hand to find out how they mapped the nation and how they plan to tackle Whereis' stranglehold on the market.
As we reported earlier, Navteq hopes to differentiate itself from Whereis, the incumbent in the local mapping market, by allowing users to pinpoint errors directly onto their online map, embed voice phonemes to help devices pronounce local names better, and access more useful point-of-interest (POI) information like the location of emergency wards for hospitals. The usefulness of the phonemes and extra POI information depends highly on manufacturers, though. So far, Navteq maps will be appearing in Nokia, Ausway and Peugeot-Citroen products.
After Navteq's formal media briefing, CNET.com.au was treated to a ride in one of its mapping vehicles. Unfortunately, we didn't take photos as it was night time, so those seen here are of the Navteq mapping team in action overseas.
Cars used for mapping are fitted with a highly sensitive roof-mounted GPS antenna. The roof mounted antenna needs to be locked on to at least seven satellites to function -- three is the minimum needed for any GPS unit to determine your location. As such, this antenna is accurate down to about 50 centimetres, which is theoretically several times better than the accuracy of the maps on portable navigation devices currently on the market.
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cruisin
11/07/2007 05:16 PM
Do you mean to tell me that every street in Australia has been visited by a Navteq driver and plotter? Surely they used most information already available from the good old fashioned street directory.
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mkdjjj
17/07/2007 08:07 AM
I'd quess that they would use Ausway mapping and just upgrade as they go Cruse
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Franciscco J
26/07/2007 08:29 PM
How can I get map for Tuscany Italy for a Nokia 6110
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aheald
01/08/2007 02:03 PM
cruisin, do you mean the UBD? It's owned by Sensis...I'm thinking mkdjjj is on to it.
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Sent in circles
15/08/2007 11:11 PM
Pity they didnt get the correct directions of one-way streets; nor they only manage to wxpaand St to Street - try Ave (not avenue but Ave as in ah vey .. hmmm!!
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pfoeldi
18/08/2007 10:53 PM
How can I get NAVTEQ Australian Map in Australia?
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WMMarsh
12/09/2007 12:18 PM
I have a Medion gopal GPS ( model MD96210 Australian Version Navteq mapping), I find it far superior to other GPS systems which apparently only cater for the larger cities. mine caters for the rural areas with very few exceptions, As the areas are rapidly expanding, will they bring out updates to the maps and can they be downloaded
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niftienev
20/09/2007 12:28 PM
Anything is better then WhereIs
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bootlover44
30/10/2007 05:34 AM
I have just bought a benitone carrera gps with Navteq maps it is far better in rural areas dont know about city,than Navman or Mio which by the way cant find a street that has been there for over 20years
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baha
05/01/2008 12:07 AM
Hi,i bought nv618 gps.and sinds then i have problem with gps.every time i open it they seed(FATAL APPLICATION ERROR)and i try to contact the seller he deniet that.if some one know hoe to fix this problem i well very happy. thanks
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baha
05/01/2008 12:08 AM
Hi,i bought nv618 gps.and sinds then i have problem with gps.every time i open it they seed(FATAL APPLICATION ERROR)and i try to contact the seller he deniet that.if some one know hoe to fix this problem i well very happy. thanks
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Jayjayjo
22/01/2008 12:40 AM
I bought a Road Angel 3000 with Navteq software in it ... It was trying to turn right into a paddock .... I've even heard of one telling the driver to turn right in the the sea... O_o The next Car GPS unit I get i'm going to make sure it has google maps installed
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jra
01/02/2008 06:02 AM
baha - did you contact the actual seller (e.g. porares.com.au) or some e bay reseller? such errors usually occur if you have deleted content or have an illegal copy
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Bobby
07/02/2008 03:49 PM
I have Navteq maps on my Citroen. They are 2006 maps with not much in non urban areas useless if you ask me
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baha
16/02/2008 01:17 AM
Hi,guys i bought NV-618 ,kan some one tell my hoe to updates the maps or the gps becuse the gps didnt read the red camera alstraaaaaaa
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Johnny
15/04/2008 03:32 PM
The Navteq 7 software on my Tevion GPS says I can turn right from Flinders St into Oxford St Paddington but this is not permiited.
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Padre
05/05/2008 09:09 PM
I have been using the Navteq 2007.Q2 V.7389 Australia map and there is NO way that anyone involved travelled along a number of the roads shown. In rural areas it navigated me down dirt tracks that were dead ends, along unformed roads and tried to take me where roads have been gazetted for years but which to date have NIL roadway. I think they may have relied (invalidly in some instances) on maps made by other cartographers.
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