NAVTEQ Launches Intelligent Visual Texturing, for European 3D City Models

Simplifies navigation with visual context within cityscapes

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Feb 14, 2010, 11:11 ET

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data for in-vehicle, portable, wireless and enterprise solutions, has introduced Enhanced 3D City Models in Europe – by adding texture and colours, cityscapes appear more authentic and help those using navigation systems more easily orientate themselves in unfamiliar situations.

Built from key attributes from the highly-accurate NAVTEQ® map, this new product is extremely flexible, enabling navigable 3D animation to be generated in real-time. For example, buildings in the foreground can be made transparent, while leaving texture detail only on the corner of the next manoeuvre. It provides system developers with a wide range of customisation options on functions such as texture and camera perspective which can be used to create differentiation between products and brands.

Additionally, NAVTEQ's unique build approach makes it possible to seamlessly incorporate the company's other map and visual content with Enhanced 3D City Models to further improve the navigation experience.

"Insights from consumer research indicate that people understand visual cues very differently when driving or walking and this lead to much of the innovative design in Enhanced 3D City Models," commented Frank Pauli, vice president EMEA map & content products. "We are focusing on how consumers process visual information in order to develop more intuitive navigation for both drivers and pedestrians."

This new content allows applications to intelligently include the right level of detail to support the requirements for specific guidance and orientation; for example, road attributes such as bridges, tunnels and lane markings or alternatively, pavements and pedestrian crossings. Providing only the most relevant visual details and the right amount of texture at the right time provides that people do not become distracted with information overload.

Enhanced 3D City Models is now available in Western Europe with further expansion across the continent and into Eastern Europe, Asia and South America planned for later this year. The product has also been launched in the United States.

Enhanced 3D City Models will be demonstrated in both driving and pedestrian scenarios on the NAVTEQ stand 1D59, Hall 1 at Mobile World Congress 15th-18th February 2010.

About NAVTEQ

NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data that enables navigation and location-based platforms around the world. NAVTEQ supplies comprehensive digital map information to power automotive navigation systems, portable and wireless devices, Internet-based mapping applications and government and business solutions. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has approximately 4,400 employees located in 195 offices and in 44 countries.

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SOURCE NAVTEQ