For a smooth travel

For a smooth travel
Friday December 7 2007 10:34 IST

Express News Service

BANGALORE: Tired of negotiating your way through confusing roads and expanding suburbs?

Get a GPS device in your car and make it easier for yourself. CE Info Systems, promoters of MapmyIndia, a data provider for navigable maps has launched a portable navigation device that can be used in the car for a smooth travel across the city.

Addressing a press conference in the City on Thursday, Head, MapmyIndia Rohan Verma said that the device can be used to get information to travel between cities across the country. The gadgets will be upgraded every six months for a charge to keep track of the changes and incorporate more details.

The gadget, which uses satellites to map the location, will guide the navigator from the current location to the destination, with visual map instructions supported by voice prompts. It can be mounted on the windshield or the dashboard while driving, or can be carried in hand, while sitting in the backseat.

Features include real time guidance and voice guidance to the distance and estimated time to next turn and final destination. A quick search feature will give points of interest along the way and also reroutes you in case you miss a turn or find a road blocked.

An address book will store your favourite destinations and the handheld device with a 3.5 inch colour touch screen also allows you to enjoy music, games and movies.

Right now, about 18 major cities including Bangalore, New Delhi, Pune and Chennai and 55,000 towns and villages connected to national and state highways have been mapped.

The 18 cities have complete maps of the city with streets and localities incorporated. More cities are expected to be mapped in the next year. All the maps have been built from scratch by CE Info Systems over the last 15 years and the gadget is available in two models.

It is available for Rs 22,000 in Bangalore and is being sold at car accessories and consumer electronics stores, apart from the company’s website. For more information log on to www.mapmyindia.com

The company is also planning to offer these services in mobiles and PDAs shortly.