VDO Dayton's New Portable Navigation Devices Unite Truck Navigation and Digital TV

Everything in View

Frankfurt, March 10, 2008 -- VDO Dayton is now also offering a portable truck navigation system and at the same time incorporating digital television into its mobile devices. This means that drivers of large vehicles such as trucks, buses, or RVs can get more than professional support in choosing the right route to take: now they can make sure never to miss another episode of their favorite TV shows, whether they are in a parking lot or at a rest stop or campground.

VDO Dayton PN 4000 TSN

Designed for portability, the truck navigation devices can be used in different vehicles, whether passenger cars, RVs, or commercial vehicles. The new devices differ in screen size: The VDO Dayton PN 4000 TSN has a 4.3” display and the VDO Dayton PN 6000 TSN a 5.6” display.

The new portable solution is based on VDO Dayton’s many years of experience and brings with it the tried-and-tested technology from the PC 5200 TSN built-in truck navigation system. Here, the system software is designed to ensure that individual vehicle data, such as length, height, width, weight, and axle load are included in the route calculation. To accomplish this, the user enters the attributes of the respective vehicle in the navigation device. The software then compares this input with the clearance heights, bridge loads, etc., stored in the map data and selects the appropriate route for the vehicle. In addition, the algorithms used for the route guidance are adjusted to the driving characteristics of large vehicles. For example, turning maneuvers are avoided wherever possible.

The integrated trip planner, which can store up to ten trips with 25 interim destinations each, is especially useful for multistop deliveries. The user can arrange and process the destinations in any sequence desired. The route is then planned as a whole according to this sequence. The estimated loading and unloading times at each interim destination can also be entered; the navigation system then takes this information into account when determining the overall driving time for the route.

In addition to the navigation computer, VDO Dayton has also built in a receiver for digital TV signals. It brings digital television, which is now available in many areas in Europe, into the vehicle. Thanks to high-performance batteries and an external power supply, the PN 4000 TSN and PN 6000 TSN can also be used outside of the vehicle, such as at campgrounds or rest stops or in hotel rooms. The dual tuner receives not only the television program itself, but also any screen text, subtitles, and the electronic TV guide for the next four days. The new high-end system has an integrated SD card reader that can be used to load music, or the user’s own videos, in addition to digital roadmaps. The system can also be upgraded with an additional Bluetooth module that turns it into a hands-free kit for mobile phones.

Operating the devices couldn’t be easier: Not only the destination entry, route selection, and address book functions, but also all TV functions can be controlled directly via the easy-to-understand menu displayed on the touch-sensitive screen. A built-in brightness sensor that automatically adjusts the light levels so that the high-resolution color display is well illuminated day and night, without glare that interferes with the driver’s vision, ensures outstanding picture quality on the large-format widescreen monitor in any lighting conditions. As a basic principle, the system navigates using the 16 : 9 cinema format for a better overview. Its TV function supports both 16 : 9 and 4 : 3 modes.

With targeted annual sales of more than €26.4 billion for 2008, the Continental Corporation is one of the top automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Today, the corporation employs approximately 150,000 people at nearly 200 locations in 36 countries.

Supplying both, OEMs and the Aftermarket worldwide, the Interior Division of Continental AG develops and produces electronic systems which allow the information in a vehicle to be controlled and communicated according to the requirements of the driver and the driving situation. The Division achieves annual sales of more then € 6 billion with a workforce of more than 33,000 employees. The range of products includes instruments clusters and multifunctional displays, control units, electronic car entry systems, tire information systems, climate control systems, radios, multimedia and navigation systems, telematic solutions as well as cockpit modules and systems. The Interior Division develops vehicle electronics enabling car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communication, Internet access and the seamless integration of mobile devices (car-to-device). The focus on systems integration offers customers less complexity and ensures efficient and cost-effective solutions for the management of information in passenger cars as well as commercial and special vehicles.

Source: VDO Automotive AG

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