TomTom announces at the 79th Geneva International Motor Show that Toyota has extended its relationship with TomTom to feature the second generation of TomTom’s semi-embedded portable navigation solution in select vehicles. TomTom also reveals the details of the Carminat TomTom embedded navigation solution co-developed with Renault.
The second generation of TomTom’s semi-embedded portable navigation solution device is specially designed for use with the in-dash Toyota TNS 410 audio, video and navigation system.
TomTom’s latest, semi-embedded device offers consumers all the advantages of easy-to-use portable navigation, yet fits into a vehicle dashboard. It is also portable so it can be removed from the audio system where it sits to be used in other cars and replaced. The device provides full audio integration with the car speakers for high quality audio when using spoken instructions, or making hands-free phone calls. Toyota customers will enjoy access to a wide range of TomTom’s content and services, including map and software updates available through TomTom’s free software application TomTom HOME.
The product offering, which will be available in select Toyota vehicles in Europe in Q4 2009, is the result of joint innovation between TomTom and FUJITSU TEN.
TomTom’s portable navigation solution features a 400MHz CPU, a 4.3” 480×272 touch screen, 2GB flash memory, light sensor, internal microphone, Bluetooth and USB 1.1 connectivity, SD card slot. In addition to full audio-integration, the TomTom semi-embedded PND, has a high-quality finish and expanded Tele Atlas maps. Its dimensions are 130×82,5×24,4 mm.
The Carminat TomTom will open up embedded navigation to the mass market with a €490 price tag and wide availability on Renault’s small to medium car lines. In an embedded navigation first, users of the Carminat TomTom solution can update their navigation with the latest maps, safety cameras, Points of Interest (POIs) or voices to ensure the system is always up to date. Traditionally, embedded navigation customers had to send away for CDs or go to a store to get additional navigation content. Users of the Carminat TomTom solution access TomTom HOME, TomTom’s free desktop software, where they download the latest content from the Internet onto an SD card which can then be installed in an SD Card slot next to the Carminat TomTom screen.
The content and services available to Carminat TomTom users includes TomTom’s map improvement technology Map Share which will allow customers to deal with the stress of unexpected road changes by making improvements to their map instantly. Additionally, Map Share is the solution that enables drivers to share and receive corrections with the TomTom community of 30 million users. This way Carminat TomTom users can always benefit from the most up-to-date maps. Maps are supplied by Tele Atlas.
The Carminat TomTom solution features a 5.8” non-touch screen, a built in RDS-TMC traffic receiver, odometer and gyro sensors in the car for improved positioning, and an extensive set of safety features including the Help Me! menu which includes information such as emergency and breakdown service numbers, directions to the nearest hospital, car maintenance advice and first aid instructions.
The Carminat TomTom solution will be available from Spring 2009 across Western Europe from Є490. It will initially launch on the new Renault Clio, but will soon be in the new Renault Megane and Scenic.