VW nav prototype incorporates Google sat imagery

Volkswagen's been hanging out with Google lately (well who wouldn't?) and they're trying to set up a match between VW in-vehicle nav and Google satellite imagery. The two services would seem to be a perfect match, but they need a little extra help from chipmaker/third-wheel Nvidia in order to handle the intense 3D imagery that results from their courtship. The project is being spearheaded by Volkswagen's Palo Alto-based Electronics Research Laboratory, and aims to provide drivers with Google Earth-like birds-eye views of upcoming terrain. Suits at VW say there are no definite plans to commercialize this technology in production vehicles, but we bet that we'll be seeing some uber-cutesy Googlers Wanted commercials sooner rather than later.

[Via NaviGadget, thanks Jim]

[Chief @ Feb 4th 2006 8:39AM]

Autoblog has more details and images on the same.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/03/vw-to-use-google-earth-for-the-best-in-navigation-technology/

[Mikw @ Feb 4th 2006 8:40AM]

Pretty cool, I'd buy it.

[Vic @ Feb 4th 2006 9:10AM]

I believe things will be different than mobile gmap's. They intend to let you WiFi d/l cash the data and use it to navigate as opposed to d/l display on and on. It seem that 200Mb is all that's needed to cover many states.

[apeguero @ Feb 4th 2006 9:35AM]

That's why I love VW, the poor man's BMW. I wish I had that technology in my 2003 BMW Jetta.

[doug @ Feb 4th 2006 11:38AM]

Why not get an EVDO Kyocera KR1 WIFI EVDO router that just came out this week and build your own.

[Eli @ Feb 4th 2006 2:01PM]

Evdo, despite everyone here constantly creaming themselves over it, has absolutely horrible coverage. Not everyone lives in a major city.

I've got a satellite imagery program that rather than downloading on the fly, caches everything I look at. So far I've downloaded the greater Seattle area in a couple different resolutions, and it's right around 500mb. I'd estimate a whole state (depending on size) at easily several gigs. Remember Terraserver? Maybe not, most of you guys were probably still in junior high. Terraserver was the first site that did satellite images - it started in 1998 or so as a joint venture between Microsoft and Compaq to create a server system that served a terrabyte of information. It only had 3 meter resolution images in black and white, and only covered the continental US.

Color, high-res satellite photos? Yeah, that's going to take some serious storage. And downloading it on the fly would be utterly useless.

[Lectoid @ Feb 4th 2006 8:04PM]

I can seriously see my apt. from that picture

[Karim Farouki @ Feb 5th 2006 1:34AM]

I'm confused the mention of "google earth like bird's eye view". I am a big fan of MSFT's current virtual earth offering (http://local.live.com) expressly because of their "bird's eye view", which I thought was a MSFT innovation? I went over to google to try and find comparable bird's eye views, and couldn't find any?!?! Is this a case of revionist history giving google the credit, or am I simply missing something?

[Steven @ Feb 5th 2006 9:08AM]

"....which I thought was a MSFT innovation?"

Hilarious! Pure hilarious! Thanks for that. It made my day.

[Matt E. @ Feb 5th 2006 9:23AM]

Karim: Try http://earth.google.com/

[Alex K. @ Feb 5th 2006 9:48AM]

is it just me, or does having the 3D projection of the city not really help you find out where you are going?

i can see using google maps, but the 3D found in google earth is just distracting. a 2D map is so much easier to figure out.

[Gratis Flirten @ Feb 5th 2006 10:23AM]

Nice idea from VW but i doubt this will add up their sales

[me @ Feb 5th 2006 12:19PM]

Consider that VW owns Audi, VW, Lamborghini, Bugati, Skoda and others... this will pay off in spades. Just the Audi sales alone will make this jump!

Figure an in-house cost (after development) of about $1k per unit and sales at $1800-2000 per, nice 50% margin.

They'll sell. (I just hope I can retrofit one into my 2006 audi!)

[Dimitris @ Feb 5th 2006 4:40PM]

3D is definetely going to be the future in GPS systems, their also some rumors that teleatlas is going to release 3d maps but for the moment it's only rumors.

[Javaflash @ Feb 6th 2006 12:30AM]

#11, I just tried two Starbucks in New York over Google Earth, and it does help. 3D accelerates certain sense of direction crucial for driving, makes "head NE or SW" instructions less relevant. However, my two year old car doesn't have GPS. Anyone with such system care to comment? Thanks.

[Javaflash @ Feb 6th 2006 12:52AM]

#8, Google has these 3D markup in Google Earth for a long time (maybe even in Keyhole). And those bird's eye view from Microsoft Virtual Earth was purchased & licensed from a company called "Pictometry," and I believe Google also purchased a license for development. They are static pictures taken from a plane at a 45 degree angle.

[Michael Chastain @ Feb 6th 2006 11:45AM]

I don't think streaming the Google Earth data is unreasonable. Keep in mind the resolution on a mobile GPS is likely to be limited to say 320x320 or less (particularly after subtracting the "chrome"). Also keep in mind the display is likely to be kept relatively zoomed in to aid navigation limiting the scope of the display and vehicles move relatively slowly (I can zip across town in a few seconds in Google Earth, but it takes 20 minutes in a vehicle).

Finally I am sure the Google Earth data is an added feature, not a requirement. If for whatever reason it's not receiving the information I'm sure it has preloaded traditional maps. Many countries have better 3G data coverage than does the US as well.

The one problem I see is the acuracy of the street overlays. On a vector only map it doesn't make any difference to me if the map data is off by a few meters. With the Google Earth overlay it is distracting if it looks like I'm driving down the sidewalk or through Ms. Cravatz's rose bushes.

[PH @ Feb 6th 2006 5:39PM]

Microsoft's Live Local (http://local.live.com) beats Google maps in so many ways (full screen, wheel support, zoom box, much higher resolution satellite views, bird's eye view, route planning, ...).
For those who don't know it yet, you've got to give it a try, and a fair one if that's something you are capable of.
So much unjustified hype with whatever Google does ...

[Javaflash @ Feb 7th 2006 1:17AM]

#18, You're total right about so much unjustified hype with whatever Google does. As a fan (I admit), I have been going from one blog to another, emailing journalists, trying to get press to tone down. It's quite amazing that such much hype can be generated when "GOOGLE SAID ALMOST NOTHING" since IPO. Hell, they don't even advertise in north America.

One example today, FON received $22 million venture capitals from a dozen investors & banks. The headline from Associated Press reads like this... "Google, Skype in startup to link hotspots" when it should be "Wireless Startup Attracts $22 million Venture Capitals."

[ZapWizard @ Feb 9th 2006 3:05PM]

I already run google Earth using both cached and live cell phone connections on my Mac Mini in my car.
I just finished a 4000 mile trip using it as for GPS and routing, worked very well.

[Stan @ Feb 13th 2006 11:45AM]

Such system is created in Novosibirsk in Russia.Is identified "Convoy".There is URL www.konvoy.ru,but it is in russian language.Our engineers use Convoy against stealing the cars.The Help in all 100 percents.
Convoy works on channel GSM+GPS. Patent is Received for invention.Report Volkswagen's...

[DJ Badoora @ Feb 23rd 2006 6:55PM]

Nevertheless, it is an interesting beginning. We are living in a technological driven society and i personally can't wait till they enhance the GPS System even more!

[Paul d'Aoust @ Apr 6th 2006 2:15AM]

Wow, I don't know whether to vomit or pee myself. Maybe I'll do both. That is some really neat stuff.

I wonder if it's available as a retrofit for '90 VWs? probably not. I'll have to make my own, I guess :)

[hesham @ May 1st 2006 1:51AM]

thnk youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu