The Hindu Business Line : Nippon's SatGuide

One of the first satellite-based handheld navigation devices to be launched in the country was Nippon Audiotronix's SatGuide. Built and endowed with features like a pocket PC, Nippon SatGuide is a touch-screen navigation device that uses the global positioning system (GPS) platform for providing real-time positioning and navigation information to the driver or pedestrian.

A GPS system uses radio connectivity with a network of satellites to pinpoint the exact position and other navigational parameters of the connected device. At the same time, sensors built into the unit record every movement, registering even the slightest change of direction. The instrument is handheld and can be used either as an in-vehicle system or as a pedestrian navigational aid by choosing the requisite mode.

The device features navigational information and a querying format that is suitable for a novice driver or the first time visitor to the city or area.

Its menu is designed to allow the user to choose the destination from categories such as points of interest, including places such as hospitals, malls, museums, banks and ATMs, cinemas, shopping areas, railway stations, airports, etc., in addition to manual inputs of the actual street address that the driver may want to reach.

Though when we tested the Nippon SatGuide there were occasions when it did not throw up the shortest route to the destination, the system is claimed to be programmed to scour the in-built map for the shortest possible course.

The problem is possibly because of the lack of more accurate digitised maps, but the level of detail regarding traffic regulations specific to the area of travel, such as one-way streets, size of the carriageway and entry time restrictions, are still sketchy and unreliable.

Once the route is calculated and displayed on the device's LCD screen, turn-by-turn voice prompts and on-screen displays direct the user.

Nippon SatGuide also has some interesting additional features. As the device itself is a Pocket PC, the user can also keep most business and personal information up-to-date and close at hand.

As the device comes with the latest Windows Mobile 2003 SE operating system, the user can create workbooks and documents using Pocket excel and word software and then synchronise the information on the desktop. In addition to an infrared port and a flash card slot, the SatGuide can also play MP3 music using windows media player and can act as a video screen, too, enabling video playback and gaming.

Currently, Nippon SatGuide can be bought with the maps of any of the six cities that it is sold in, which include New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Bangalore. Maps to 18 new cities are expected to be added soon.

On the road, the SatGuide is clearly a help for the driver who may have otherwise been completely lost, a situation that new travellers who also don't know the lingo might face.

But with maps that are not yet accurate enough and with a steep Rs 38,000 price, the SatGuide will probably have to rely on its other strengths such as multimedia features to attract buyers.

S. Muralidhar

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