STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HARMAN (NYSE: HAR), the premier connected technologies company for the automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, announced today that it will offer an aftermarket Augmented Reality (AR) Driving Device to automotive OEMs through a strategic partnership and investment in Silicon Valley innovator Navdy. As part of the agreement, HARMAN will have exclusive rights to distribute the new co-branded aftermarket Navdy with HARMAN device to automotive OEMs, specialty auto and audio channels as well as select mobile carriers globally.
Introduced last month, the new Navdy product is the world's first aftermarket heads-up driving (HUD) device that projects both mobile application information and car data information directly over the road allowing drivers to Look Forward© while Staying Connected©. The aftermarket HUD solution leverages AR technology to project car, phone and music information directly in the driver's line of sight, creating a new type of driving experience that is both safe and satisfying.
The initial offering will be a co-branded Navdy with HARMAN aftermarket device combining the innovative Navdy technology with the strength of the HARMAN brand. In January of 2017, the aftermarket device will be available direct to automotive OEM customers globally and to consumers in North America through well-known specialty auto/audio outlets. Product bundles with synergistic HARMAN products such as the JBL® Trip will also be made available in select markets.
“We are pleased to partner with HARMAN, which brings a wealth of experience across brands, technology and global networks that will expand our reach. The product is available in North America with plans to extend to Europe, Asia and South America. The Navdy with HARMAN device joins a number of automotive aftermarket product innovations from HARMAN’s well-known brands like JBL,” according to Doug Simpson, founder and CEO of Navdy.
Navdy's breakthrough user interface projects a transparent image on the road ahead and incorporates advanced software that lets drivers interact with their smartphones hands-free using hand gestures to accept calls and respond to messages. Having maps, calls, messages, notifications, music, and car information projected directly over the road results in a safer connected driving experience. The augmented driving device software is also tightly integrated with the OBD-II interface of the car allowing access to important car information such as speed and fuel level on the transparent screen.
“Consumers today are keenly aware of the risks posed by distractions due to mobile texting and phone calls while driving. They want products that make the connected car experience safe while increasing driver satisfaction. These are two reasons why Car Toys is seeing tremendous growth in Driver Assistance products and why solutions that reduce distracted driving are resonating powerfully with consumers. There is a lot of pent up demand for a robust HUD solution and we are extremely excited about HARMAN’s entry into the aftermarket category – especially with the powerful Navdy with HARMAN product. We are looking forward to offering our customers a product that makes driving safer and drivers happier,” said Jim Warren, vice president, merchandising & marketing, Car Toys.
According to a recent IHS Markit survey, consumer demand for HUD technology is rapidly increasing. The survey found that 55 percent of new car intenders in the U.S. would like to have or desire to have HUD technology in their next car. Technology like Navdy is well-positioned to meet the demands of the growing market.
“HARMAN is known for setting the standard for solutions that improve the in-car driving experience. From automotive audio to embedded infotainment to aftermarket devices, HARMAN has pioneered the introduction of innovations that make driving safer, more enjoyable, and more secure. HARMAN’s partnership with Navdy to co-brand and distribute the new Navdy device follows this tradition by being the first to introduce to our automotive channel a heads-up display solution that offers an impressive feature set,” said Sanjay Dhawan, president, HARMAN Connected Services. “This new relationship broadens HARMAN’s portfolio of solutions for the automotive aftermarket, which is a $2.7 billion market and growing, to address consumers’ desire for a safe and convenient use of smartphone applications. We’re looking forward to working with Navdy to explore additional opportunities that leverage our joint expertise in software functionality and hardware design in automotive.”
Those interested in learning more about the Navdy with HARMAN device can view a video here and access product and purchasing information here.
About HARMAN
HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers
connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and
enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual
products, enterprise automation solutions; and connected services. With
leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®,
Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles,
musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the
world. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped
with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. The Company’s software
services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are
connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and
home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000
people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $7.0
billion during the 12 months ended September 30, 2016. The Company’s
shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
NYSE:HAR.
About Navdy
Navdy created the world's first Augmented
Driving© device for your car that lets you Look Forward© while Staying
Connected©. The company's mission is to reinvent the driving experience
and to make driving something you Look Forward to again. In 2013, Navdy
set out to fundamentally change the way you use technology in the car
and to create the type of product that makes you immediately wonder how
you ever lived without it. Navdy is more than a new display, more than a
new UI, and more than a new platform for Apps -- it's an experience and
one the company hopes you enjoy every time you get behind the wheel.
With the strategic investment from HARMAN, it brings the funding total
raised by Navdy to $42 million, which includes investments from
Qualcomm, Upfront, Promus, Ludlow and others. To learn more, visit www.navdy.com.
