OLATHE, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Garmin® International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced Gemini, a new navigation core designed for the auto OEM market. Building upon Garmin’s industry-leading technology, Gemini provides automakers a faster, more intuitive and feature-rich in-dash navigation experience than ever before. The accompanying Software Development Kit (SDK) allows automakers to fully customize the feature set as well as the look and feel to meet their specific needs. Gemini features advanced 3D graphics for better orientation and smart navigation features. The ability to integrate automatic over-the-air (OTA) map and software updates can make it easier for drivers to keep their system current.
“One of the major challenges for in-dash navigation systems is to keep pace with the performance and feature-richness of consumer products,” said Matt Munn, Garmin managing director automotive OEM. “Garmin’s strong foothold in the consumer business has helped our auto OEM group to secure top rankings in satisfaction surveys. The new Gemini navigation core continues this success story by delivering even better performance and comprehensive customization options for automakers to meet their individual needs.”
Map drawing, route calculation and search are twice as fast with Gemini as compared to previous Garmin software. The performance advancements allow for the integration of advanced 3D city models that show realistic and beautifully rendered 3D graphics for better orientation. This includes navigable roads, parks, rivers, and textured buildings. Keeping maps and software up to date has never been easier: Gemini enables automakers to integrate automatic OTA updates. By allowing partial and incremental updates, the system can automatically connect using WIFI or LTE networks to download the latest changes to the road or POI database. Garmin provides an SDK that allows automakers to easily integrate Gemini into any in-dash system and fully customize every aspect, such as the navigation functionalities and live services as well as the look and feel of the user interface and maps to meet the design language of any system.
Gemini features premium Garmin navigation, including voice command, junction views, lane guidance, and real-time traffic. Garmin Real Directions™ guide drivers in a natural and intuitive way. The new feature uses recognizable landmarks, buildings, traffic lights and stop signs to give directions. Furthermore, Gemini has the capability to uniquely adapt to the driving behavior of the user. MyTrends, for example, learns over time where the user is going at certain days and times and automatically suggests the right address. Gemini can also suggest points of interest based on user behavior, such as a favorite type of restaurant for lunch or a gas station when the gas level reaches a certain point. For both gas and electric vehicles, Gemini can determine and display the range in miles that can be archived with the current gas level or charge based on individual driving behavior.
Gemini is designed to easily integrate with third-party data and other vehicle systems. Apps that need location, route or ETA information can request that data from Gemini. Automakers could, for example, develop a feature that uses check-in information from social networks to suggest places to the driver that friends have recommended. Additionally, Gemini can allow other screens or devices in the vehicle to access navigation capabilities, so users can conveniently plan out a trip on their tablet and send the route information to the in-dash system for directions.
Garmin’s automotive OEM group utilizes the company’s long-standing experience in user interface and hardware design from its automotive, avionics and marine segments to develop innovative in-car navigation, telematics and infotainment systems. Garmin’s broad range of in-vehicle electronics for the automotive industry includes full infotainment and telematics systems, navigation software, location-based services, and integrated portable navigation systems. Garmin has dedicated automotive OEM offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.
About Garmin International Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. A component of the S&P 500 index, Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin is a registered trademark of Garmin Ltd.
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Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
