NNG marks global trends for in-car navigation, says excellence in HMI is a priority

Leading navigation developer NNG, which calls itself a ‘one-stop shop’ today exhibited some of its top navigation solutions from across the world in Mumbai today and said that excellence in in-car HMI (Human Machine Interface) is its topmost priority.  

The Hungary-based NNG and its local strategic partner ANS, exhibited their VIP Technology Showroom to members of the Indian press and industry professionals. The showroom introduces a unique collection of the customised navigation solutions that NNG provides in India and countries around the world, such as Germany, China, Japan, United States and Hungary.

NNG, which has 11 branches globally, and ANS also highlighted some of the top trends in the navigation sector. These trends included the emerging role that smartphones play in cars, as well as the evolution of infotainment design in cars, which is in response to a growing consumer expectation that cars have more connectivity with navigation and multimedia systems.

According to Peter Bolesza, vice-president of Emerging Markets at NNG, “Our goal is to maintain our leading position in technological innovations in the navigation industry. As technology evolves every day, our aim is to bring the most up-to-date and user-friendly solutions to India, and to shape the local navigation industry in accordance with the latest trends.”

Bolesza said, “HMI is becoming the next big thing for us and the world.”

NavFusion brings digital life into cars

The emergence of smartphone integration in cars has helped fuse the dependability of embedded automotive solutions and the connectivity of smartphones.This integration maximizes consumer appeal and overcomes connected device reliability issues, while simultaneously minimizing security threats and driver distraction. These technologies also aim to make in-car software updates as easy as updating apps on smartphones.

Such a solution can combine the advantages of having stable, readily available in-car navigation, and having a smartphone that provides the head unit with fresh updates, thus making the map update method easier. At the forefront of this technology, NNG has developed a feature set called NavFusion, which is designed to bridge the gap between smartphone life cycles and the infotainment system. NavFusion synchronises personal data with the car’s infotainment system and enables the navigation system to adapt to the driver’s lifestyle, whether this means identifying and saving your favourite restaurant, your work commute, or your gym. This synchronization offers the driver myriad personalised solutions.

Enhancing driver experience

Further enhancing the driving experience and taking the first step towards a completely automated car is the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). The goal of this system is to help automate lighting and breaking, provide adaptive cruise control, incorporate GPS/traffic warnings, connect vehicles to smartphones, make drivers aware of nearby cars or dangers, prevent the driver from drifting out of lanes, and open up blind spots. Industry leaders across the globe are researching this promising trend, and NNG exhibited its solutions in this area. Thanks to this emerging trend driving becomes safer while the in car systems are getting more integrated with the environment, the traffic conditions and with other cars on the road.

 
Decreasing driver distraction

A key topic at the NNG-ANS demo room was the future of the in-car HMI (Human machine interface) experience. Today it has become increasingly important to optimize the car’s infotainment system in a way that accommodates the driver's preferred style of driving. This necessitates a comprehensive HMI  design that harmonizes things like mobile devices, multiple screens, navigation systems, vehicle-specific technology, and other technological solutions, while decrease drive distraction and making driving safer.

NNG has recently acquired an American company (nFusion) with an objective to broaden its presence in automotive on-board systems to increase investments in this market and help make the driving experience more integrated and more enjoyable.

NNG, which has 650 employees worldwide, says it is the global leading navigation solution provider for the automotive, personal and wireless navigation markets, offering on-board 3D navigation applications that incorporate connected features and a universal online update portal. The core technology is based on the standard-setting iGO Navigation Engine, comprising of innovative navigation software, fluid User Interfaces and related content and services to device manufacturers, auto makers, network operators, professional transport specialists and individual users globally.

iGO Navigation software is currently installed in more than 20 million devices throughout the world. Based on supplier agreements with 16 Tier 1s delivering to over 34 car brands, NNG intends to ship over additional 30 million licenses in the coming years. NNG says it continues to develop global markets for navigation solutions through 14 company branches, including Hungary, Israel, Switzerland, India, Australia, China, Japan (X2) and the United States (6x).