The Hindu Business Line : CE Info launches car GPS device

Bangalore, Dec. 8 In-car GPS-based navigation devices company CE Info Systems, Delhi, has added Bangalore to its footprint with the launch of its location finding device, MapmyIndia.

The portable interactive device — with pre-loaded digitised Survey of India maps and real-time voice guidance — enables seamless travel throughout India, within or between cities and villages, according to Mr Rahul Verma of CE Info. The Indian car navigation market currently has the potential for one lakh devices, Mr Verma said.

By the end of 2008, the device will be available across 2,000 retail outlets across 1,000 urban centres and five lakh towns and villages.

Priced Rs 21,000-22,000, the navigator is currently available in two models at 50 dealers in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Chandigarh.

The company will invest around Rs 20 crore in sales and distribution in the next one year.

It has put in an equal sum to create the digitised maps.

Mr Verma said CE Info Systems is tying up with leading automobile companies, handset and personal navigation device makers, software providers, mobile operators, Internet portals and retail and distribution networks of cars, accessories and consumer electronic products.

turn-by-turn

The MapmyIndia device can be mounted on the windshield or the dashboard while driving or carried in hand while sitting in the backseat.

It guides the driver turn-by-turn, tells the location and direction, distance and the estimated time to reach the destination, along with auto detour and re-routing, and comes with music, games and movies. The GPS chip has to be upgraded annually for a fee.

In the West, he said, the market has grown exponentially, seeing sales of 20 million personal navigation devices in the US and 30 million in Europe in 2006.

MapmyIndia maps are available for the Internet, mobile phones and cars. Its users include over 500 corporate and government customers over the last 15 years.

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