Smart Motorist

by Les Jackson

High-tech solutions to getting lost are helpful, but are they worth the price?

How do they work?

All commercial systems use a combination of three technologies.

1. Geosynchronous (stationary in orbit) satellites provide signals to receivers in airplanes, ships, etc. When signals from two or more of these satellites are processed in the receiver's computer, latitude and longitude can be determined quite accurately -- usually within 100 feet -- anywhere on earth. The car is equipped with such a receiver.
2. The computer in the car is equipped with a detailed digital map of a given area, its size dependent upon population density. Every street, address, business, park, hospital, driveway, and more is entered on a changeable drive on the computer. At present about six drives are required to map the United States.
3. The car's computer is programmed with "dead reckoning" navigation software coupled with the cruise control system. At any given moment the computer knows how far the car has moved and in which direction (needless to say, proper monitoring of tire pressure is important for system accuracy).

Using a combination of all of these technologies, the car's navigation system can pinpoint its location, follow itself as the vehicle moves and give directions to a preprogrammed destination.

Are these systems easy to use?

These systems are easy to use, but each takes a little familiarization. The simplest (in my opinion) is Oldsmobile's Guidestar. It doesn't have as many features as its competitors, but its controls are much more intuitive and easily learned. Its voice (yes, they all talk to you!) and moving map warn you if you are off course and will ask if you want a corrected one. Guidestar makes it easy to locate a restaurant, hotel or street address and enter it in.

BMW and Acura have beautifully integrated in-dash color screens and are more menu-driven than Guidestar. It took me much more time (read: I had to read the instructions!) to develop an expertise with the controls and both tended to "glitch" more often than Guidestar. A typical glitch might show you on your neighboring street rather than your own. All systems are easily corrected.

Are they worth it?

You bet! First off, these systems are so accurate that it's almost frightening. All of them got me to desired locations and all were within 50 feet when they notified me of arrival. All allow a choice of shortest or fastest routes or a choice of interstates or secondary roads.

Every rental car should be equipped with such a system (some already are). When these systems become commonplace, maps will be unnecessary and you will never get lost in an unfamiliar city. Men will never have to ask for directions (like they ever have!) and women won't have to fear finding their way alone at night.

One minor annoyance, however, was the voice-over's repeating of 'turn now' or 'turn around as soon as possible' commands when directions were ignored. You can mute the voice-over, but if you rely solely on the screen and knobs, we almost guarantee you'll end up rear-ending someone in traffic.

As in the Mercedes, there was an on-board phone available, and this was tied into the navigation system for pinpointing locations during distress calls or service.

As with all other systems tested, destinations can be entered by intersection, exact address, service sites or points of interest. The BONS catalog of services is very detailed and comprehensive. Detailed displays show the car's GPS position on a tracking map while the turns ahead and ETA are displayed in a smaller screen inset at the upper left. The audio features of the BONS include complete override of the BONS voice system over the car's stereo, making turning instructions and other information crystal clear.

Read more . . . 

• Test driving an onboard navigational system  

 

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