Showing drivers way to go home

By RICHARD WOOD

Portable in-car navigation systems are about to arrive in New Zealand with the iCN 630 from local manufacturer Navman.

The home-grown device uses global positioning satellites and electronic maps to give voice and visual turn-by-turn commands to drivers. It is is mounted on the windscreen with a suction cup and powered from the car's cigarette lighter.

It was launched in the US and Europe in January and is expected here after its introduction into Australia next month.

The local price has yet to be decided, but overseas the devices sell for from $1800 to $2800, depending on the market.

North Shore firm Air Logistics is providing the New Zealand map data.

Navman has been making Marine GPS systems for 15 years, but entered the land navigation market only 18 months ago - first with its Halo GPS and wireless fleet management system and then with GPS devices and software for handheld computers.

Navman designed and built the iCN 630 from the chip level up - helped by a $930,000 research and development grant from Technology New Zealand.

Founder and managing director Peter Maire said the company had invested $2.5 million in a product he believes will give it an edge in the burgeoning car navigation market.

The global annual demand for car navigation systems is expected to reach 6 million units in two years, up from the current 4.5 million units.

Fewer than 3 per cent of US cars have the system, compared with nearly 7 per cent across Europe.

Navman changed its name from Talon Technology last year and subsequently bought the GPS system division of Nasdaq-listed semiconductor maker Conexant.

A Navman spokesman estimated current revenues at more than $65 million and said the company aims to double that figure by the end of the year.