NavStar Technologies Announces Key Details on the Feature-Rich Voice Navigator™ Personal Navigation Device
NavStar Technologies (Pink Sheets: NVST) today announced the Voice Navigator™, a compact, simple and safe to use, feature-rich, affordable personal navigation device (PND). Voice Navigator™ allows the user to request and download a route or make a hands-free call with their voice rather that the cumbersome input required when inputting via a screen. According to ABI Research, out of the 300M vehicles currently on the road in the United States, only 9% use a navigation device or system. The market for personal navigation solutions such as the Voice Navigator™ is expected to grow sharply to reach global sales volume of more then 100M units by 2011.
Because of the multi-functionality of Voice Navigator™ and the ability to customize services for a wide variety of market segments, the company has tagged the product as the “Ultimate Wireless Accessory.” The core product development strategy of a thin client/server concept is important because it:
(a) Reduces unit cost
(b) Makes the product very safe to use
(c) Provides users with current updated directional information
(d) Enables the user to download directional information for multiple destinations
(e) Allows for the development of customized applications and information services for both the consumer and the commercial markets.
This year, overall sales of personal navigation devices across the United States are anticipated to reach 29M units. Voice Navigator™ will offer the budget savvy consumer a feature-rich alternative to expensive GPS navigation devices currently available and will be priced more like a wireless accessory. With such competitive advantages, the Company is poised to capture a significant market share upon product release into the open market.
The initial product is scheduled to launch in 2nd Quarter 2008 and will include the following features.
- Voice Input for hands-free calling and requesting turn by turn directions
- Bluetooth Compatible (will support all wireless networks and bluetooth handsets)
- Hands-Free Car Kit (Voice-activated so hands and eyes stay on the road)
- Voice Navigation (turn-by-turn directions)
- Full speech including street names (says turn right on 3rd Street instead of turn right in 200 feet)
- Emergency 911 (one touch access to emergency services)
- Internet Itinerary (ability to preload destination via NavStar website)
- Maps that are updated quarterly
- Ability to customize server features for different market segments.
The Voice Navigator™ incorporates an internal GPS antenna that makes it thinner and will be about the size of a deck of cards. Users can choose their destination by street address, intersection, or by selecting from the searchable database of millions of points of interest (POI), such as banks, hotels, shops, ATMs, nightclubs, gas stations, tourist attractions and restaurants. The Voice Navigator™ provides the convenience of the latest, most up-to-date NAVTEQ maps.
The United States encompasses 23% of the total global sales for Navigation Systems. ABI Research speculates that, 53M units will be sold in Europe and North America in 2012. Such aggressive growth figures represents a United States compounded annual growth rate of 27% through 2007. NavStar Technologies and the Company’s products are strategically positioned to exploit this growing demand at an attractive price point for the average consumer.
About NavStar Technologies, Inc.
NavStar Technologies, Inc. designs and makes portable navigation devices (PNDs) that are presently targeted for users in the consumer/retail market. In addition to providing a “feature rich” consumer product, the NavStar server platform affords the opportunity to provide “customized” services for the delivery industry, home healthcare providers and the millions of RV owners. Members of the Company’s management team have held leadership positions and have successful entrepreneurial experience in the telecommunications industry with companies such as SprintPCS, Lucent, and OnFiber Communications.
For more information on Voice Navigator visit: http://www.navstarinc.com/VoiceNavigator/Video.asp
