Sony Launches Three Linux-based In-car Navigation Devices

An anonymous reader writes "Sony has introduced three Linux-based in-car navigation and entertainment devices in Japan today. The NV-XYZ 33, 55, and 77 feature 3D map navigation technology, media players, hard drives, GPS, and PC connectivity. They are based on MIPS processors and a Linux 2.4-series kernel. They also appear to use a GateKeeper copy protection scheme, which may prevent them from being used with Linux desktops and normal media files." Still, the 3-D representations of actual buildings on the maps is pretty impressive.

Re:3-D World Interface

[Scottm87]

oops, http://www.antarcti.ca/ is the actual address.

3D is a nice touch

[fembots]

According to the article's image, this 3D approach has two advantages - advertising and landmark spotting.

Since human is good at recognizing patterns and objects, a 3D image of a building/landmark will greatly improve your chance of making that critical turn.

Dashwerks Telematics Server...

[bergeron76]

Dashwerks is about to release our flagship telematics server. It's a very similar product, however, ours originates in (and is) open-source. It's been seen on here before [slashdot.org] (back in 2001).

Re:"Other media files"???

[way2trivial]

Adobe Systems on Thursday said Sony has agreed to support Adobe's PDF document format and the Linux version of its reader software in the consumer electronics company's car navigation system.
The Adobe technologies will be embedded in the Sony HDD AV Navi XYZ system, which is available only in Japan. The system will give drivers access to tourist books, maps, and other content delivered over the Internet.

Adobe, based in San Jose, Calif., claims to have distributed more than a half-a-billion copies of its PDF reader to date. The software is used on numerous desktop and mobile device operating systems and platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, UNIX, Linux, Palm OS, Pocket PC and Symbian OS.

Add-ons and traffic info

[Bushcat]

Add-ons include a rear-facing camera as a reversing aid for those defeated by mirror-based technology, and a Level 2 & 3 VICS antenna.

VICS supplies real-time traffic congestion, accident and time-to-destination information through roadside or overhead radio beacons dotted all over major roads. VICS-aware navigation systems can then automatically re-route around problem areas.

Apart from the very cute display, Sony is playing catch-up here, though the home cradle is nice: maps can be updated via an internet service that starts in July.

Some systems receive traffic updates via PHS and cellphones in addition to, or instead of, radio. Subscription services provide frequently updated information on speed cameras, mobile speed traps and other inconveniences.

VICS [vics.or.jp].

Re:More Info From Sony's Site

[Anonymous Coward]

Lots of stuff...if you got lost [sonystyle.com]

Legality of TV-based devices?

[Samah]

Well I don't know about other countries, but in Australia it's illegal to operate a mobile phone while driving (unless it's hands-free), and I believe it's also illegal to have a TV or similar device in a car in view of the driver (ie. they can be in the headrests for the back passengers).
The ability to watch TV on these devices is going to cause some serious legal issues if they ever take off here (unlikely).

Re:i wonder

[JanneM]

I think people may in general read more inteo the gpl-demands than is actually the case.

Assume that they have their own application on top of a normal embedded linux system.

First, they are not obliged to release a single line of source from their own app.

Second, for all the gpl software theyy use, they are only obliged to give source to their customers, and only on request. They can easily fulfil both letter and intent by, for example, have a pre-adressed postcard in the back of the owner's manual to request the source, which will then be sent in the form of a CD. /Janne

luxury upon luxury

[davejenkins]

For people living in and around Tokyo, a car itself is a luxury-- just as it would be for someone in Manhattan. You cannot buy a car without proof of parking space (usually $200-400/month).

With that market, expensive add-ons to pimp out your ride are very appealing. Those who go to the trouble to own a car (when you really don't need one in the city) are obviously very into that car as a status symbol. Combined with the absolute need for mapping systems (the grid is purposefully convoluted), and Sony should see some good sales.

No one here uses CD players in cars-- they all use MD players, but are quickly moving to HDDs that interface with their iPODs. DVDs are a nice way to spend the time while waiting in traffic or waiting for friends to arrive (I usually wait 30 minutes somewhere when meeting friends).

Re:"Other media files"???

[Anonymous Coward]

In Japan they street addresses are the exception rather than the rule, or at least were in the '80s. The "addresses" they do have only get you to an area or maybe block. You need the map to find the building or you end up asking people for directions. Many ads, yellow pages listings, business cards, etc. have one-block ads.

Re:i wonder

[Anonymous Coward]

Sorry to disapoint you but we already have :)

here [sony.net]

Re:"Other media files"???

[Almost_anonymous_cow]

30gb? I hope not. It should be rendering the buildings on the fly doing something as an extrusion of the building of so many feet based on an attribute. The only thing that would take up 30gb is the textures if they use pictures for the textures of the buildings themselves. Vector shape data doesnt take up much space and the data related to the shapes wouldn't need to be big, just name/address/phone number if its commercial, symbol to use to draw, base height and extrusion height.
For the city I work in of about 100k people you could store all the parcel (entire county), streets, shoulders, sidewalks, driveways, buildings, waterlines, sewer, storm, powerpoles, hydro, traffic signs and other features in probably less space than 5gb. When the city was smaller about 50k or smaller all that could be stored on 1gb.
The hard part is just getting all the data behind the secnes working. How many lanes which direction is the lane, is it left turn only and then keeping the data up to date. Vector shapes are easy to create and get its the data behind them that becomes a problem. Course this is coming from somone whos public works GIS dept is still working on trying to correctly address 50k+ buildings after 15 years with no real funds to do so.

Re:i wonder

[LuxuryYacht]

Download available here:

http://www.sony.net/Products/Linux/Download/NV-X YZ 77_XYZ55_XYZ33.html

Infiniti G35

[IceFox]

My 04 Infiniti G35 came with a navigation system that offers a birds eye view which I find more appealing. I am able to much more quickly grasp where I am and where I am going. Although not the best photo (google image search for better ones) here is one: here [rit.edu]

-Benjamin Meyer

Re:"Other media files"???

[Anonymous Coward]

This problem is usually caused by converting a Postscript file (.ps) to PDF with ps2pdf. Some people who use LaTeX create a dvi, then use dvips, then use ps2pdf. That is the wrong thing to do (many years ago it was the only way, but times have changed). The correct way is to use pdflatex instead of latex, which produces a beautiful PDF file directly and doesn't have the jaggy letters you mention.

Re:banners

[OneIsNotPrime]

Ummm... yes?

From the article [linuxdevices.com] :

"The 3D mapping interface shows actual buildings, and knows street addresses, enabling it to identify destination addresses. In the picture at right, it has identified a gas station belonging to a promotional partner. Advertising for many other businesses, such as fast food outlets, appears to be built into the maps."

Re:Good linux mapping software

[KD5UZZ]

Here are a few I've been looking at:

• Position [gnustep.it] (needs GNUstep)
• linuxNav [toonarchive.com]
• roadMap [digitalomaha.net]
• gpsdrive [kraftvoll.at]
• Xastir [xastir.org]

I found most of these projects at TuxMobil.org. I havn't actually used any of these programs, but I'm working on it!