Tele Atlas and Mio Technology combined their technologies to offer consumers a portable GPS system on base of a fully-featured Pocket PC and navigation software that can guide travellers throughout Western Europe.

The Mio 168, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) on base of Windows® Mobile for Pocket PCs has the full range of personal information and entertainment features: Outlook synchronisation, Contacts, Calendar, MP3 and MPEG 4 support, games, eBooks, Pocket Excel and Pocket Word. In addition, it features precision navigation with visual and spoken instructions that takes users across countries and through busy city centres. A car charger connection and mounting cradle ensure the Mio 168 can be neatly positioned to give guidance at a glance, with clearly audible speech to supplement driver information.

Because of its integrated design and a large-capacity battery, it can also provide guidance for pedestrians and cyclists.

Digital map data provided by Tele Atlas, the reference in digital mapping, brings a combination of accuracy with a wealth of detail. Accuracy in the data enables the Mio 168 to guide through complex traffic systems featuring one-way roads and multi-entry junctions, leading drivers directly to their destination. The wealth of detail in the Tele Atlas 2004 data adds significant usability to the PDA with valuable information on Points Of Interest (POIs) such as hotels, restaurants, cash machines, entertainment venues, shopping and sports centres — as well as the information on the locations of service stations, hospitals, railway stations and many more.

As a pioneer in digital mapping, Tele Atlas has twenty years of experience. Its digital library contains the largest seamless database of Europe in existence, covering some 17 European countries, including 350,000 urban centres and extensive house number data. The maps are continuously updated through a combination of survey teams and close links with urban authorities.

Rapid route recalculation means traffic jams and blocked roads can be efficiently avoided. Should a driver take a wrong turn, the Mio 168 will quickly recalculate the route and still guide the driver to the destination quickly and efficiently.

“The accuracy and up to date character of Tele Atlas digital map data makes Tele Atlas an excellent partner for this exciting development,” says Piet Deschuymer, Sales Director of Mio. “We can be confident of providing our customers with a product based on reliable information and with an opportunity of upgrades.”

“The Mio 168 is an ideal medium for bringing digital-map-based navigation conveniently and affordably to a much wider consumer market,” adds Laurent De Hauwere, Vice President Corporate Marketing & Aftermarket Europe for Tele Atlas. “The combination of Tele Atlas data with Mio Technology devices will enable people to make journeys without anxiety about losing their way and to explore unfamiliar regions.”