NAVTECH NOW AVAILABLE TO CLARION AUTOPC CUSTOMERS

Posted On:
December 14, 1998

SUNNYVALE, CA, DECEMBER 4, 1998 - Navigation Technologies Corporation (NavTech) announced that its NAVTECH database is now available in CD format to Clarion AutoPC(tm) customers, and Clarion Corporation of America said today it will introduce its Auto PC to consumers in select CA, WA & OR locations. Consumers in these markets will be among the first to experiencethe benefits of integrated vehicle-based computing, as well as the time saving convenience of having the NAVTECH database on board to guide them to their destinations.

Clarion will be holding launch events at the following car audio dealers: San Francisco GOOD GUYS/Stonestown 3201 20th Avenue (415) 731-3700, Seattle CAR TOYS/North Seattle 12815 Aurora Avenue North (206) 364-5534, San Diego DOW Stereo/Video 3445 Sports Arena Blvd. (619) 226-3500.

NavTech creates and markets the world's most widely-used navigation database, already used in every in-vehicle navigation system in North America and the majority of those on the road in Europe. The Clarion AutoPC is the first consumer electronics product to integrate car audio, computing functions, navigation and wireless communications through hands-free voice activation into a 1-DIN unit in the dash of an automobile. The Clarion AutoPC uses the Microsoft Windows CE operating system.

"Clarion's Auto PC system gives consumers an enhanced level of productivity, communications and mobility and NavTech is proud to be a partner with Clarion at this important milestone in the evolution of in-vehicle electronics and driver information," said Mac McLoughlin, senior vice president of sales, NavTech North America. "We look forward to working closely with Clarion over the next several months as they role out this product nationwide."

"Clarion is extremely excited to be launching the world's first Auto PC - the device that converges car audio with personal computing within the dash of a car," said James Minarik, president and CEO, Clarion Corp. of America. "But one of the true breakthroughs that the Clarion AutoPC brings to consumers is the ability to receive detailed, turn-by-turn driving directions with the simple and inexpensive purchase of NavTech's navigation database. Together our companies are successfully creating a technological breakthrough."

Renowned for the detail and completeness needed for true route guidance, the NAVTECH database provides 150 navigation attributes for each street segment, addresses, and points of interest in 42 categories such as restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions. NAVTECH is an extensive and precise digital representation of the road network that provides the depth, accuracy and coverage needed to enable turn-by-turn, door-to-door guidance. It provides detailed, street-level coverage for more than half the U.S. population in over 3,000 cities nationwide, including most major tourist destinations. The remainder of the U.S. is covered at a level equivalent to the roads featured on a AAA state map. NavTech's full-time cartographers drive more than 1 million miles every year to update and test the quality of the database against real world demands.

Additionally, the Clarion AutoPC uses NavTech's SDAL technology, a comprehensive data access software environment that delivers a common media format and enables CD-ROM interchangeability across navigation applications, and NAVTOOLS™, a suite of software libraries containing high-level algorithms used for building robust navigation applications.

Designed with safety, efficiency and convenience in mind, the Clarion AutoPC recognizes more than 200 simple voice commands, allowing consumers to interact with the unit without ever taking their eyes off the road. With its text-to-speech application, the Clarion AutoPC can provide status information and assistance, such as turn-by-turn directions or E-mail alerts, through "speech synthesis" and text information presented on the unit's display.

Initial shipments of Auto PCs will be available in limited quantities at select Clarion dealer locations. Map Data CDs from NavTech can also be ordered at these same locations at the time of Auto PC purchase for an additional cost. Consumers will initially be able to select from three of nine available Map Area regions. These include Map Area 1 representing the Western states, Map Area 2 which covers the Northwest and Southwest, and Map Area 7 representing the New England states. Remaining Map Area regions will be available with widespread distribution in the Spring of 1999.

About Clarion
Clarion Corporation of America, with U.S. headquarters in Gardena, Calif., has been an international leader in car audio and electronics since 1940. The company conducts research, development, engineering, design and manufacturing of entertainment, communication, security, computing and navigation systems products. In addition to more than 14,000 employees worldwide and manufacturing facilities in 10 countries, Clarion has marketing and sales affiliates in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia.

Clarion is located on the Web at http://www.clarionmultimedia.com.
Clarion AutoPC information can be found at http://www.autopc.com.