Apple Champions India’s NavIC in iPhone 15 Pro
This is the first time Apple has supported NavIC for any of its iPhone models...
Apple AAPL 0.00%↑ has announced that some its new iPhone 15 models support India’s Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NavIC) satellite navigation constellation. Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max tech specs pages say the new models support NavIC, India’s GPS rival that has seven satellites in orbit and became operational in 2018.
While this is the first time Apple has supported NavIC for any of its iPhone models, its basic iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 plus models don’t support the India-based constellation. Apple announced the new iPhone 15 models, as well as GNSS-capable smartwatches, this week in a launch event at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters.
Location Business News reported last year that India was pressuring tech companies to make their smartphones compatible with NavIC. Another point of contention was the Indian government’s reliance on the L5 frequency, which is not as common in smartphones. However, Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro and Apple Watch Ultra can support L5.
At its launch event, Apple also announced that it is adding satellite-based Roadside Assistance to certain iPhone models through its partnership with AAA. Last year, the company said it would offer emergency services on its iPhone 14. This includes two years of Emergency SOS and Roadside Assistance access for free.
Apple is rolling out its new operating system iOS 17, on Sept. 18. The new operating system has improved certain features on Apple Maps and CarPlay. With the integration of SharePlay into CarPlay, passengers will be able to control Apple Music.
In terms of Apple Maps, the big change is the ability to download offline maps. The other change is updated EV routing.
Expert nationwide installation services for fleet technologies.
Location Industry Rolls Out Products at ION GNSS+
DENVER—While known as a technical meeting, the Institute of Navigation’s ION GNSS+ 2023 had several product launches and company execs making business deals here.
One company, StarNav, revealed the first PNT results using Xona’s PULSAR signals. “We created the radio front end specifically for the Xona signal. We’ve achieved 20-centimeter accuracy,” said Joshua Morales, StarNav co-founder and CEO. “We were able to acquire and track the signal, with a cold start, with signals produced by a Safran simulator. In this example, that was 13 satellites simultaneously.”
Xona is developing PULSAR, a PNT service built on low Earth orbit (LEO) small satellites. The company said it will provide resilience and accuracy by augmenting GNSS, while operating with an independent navigation and timing system architecture.
Spirent said it has concluded a review of PULSAR production signals for integration into its SimXona product line. Spirent that the signal integration will be a part of the SimXona platform for existing and new customers throughout 2024.
Morales also said his company is working with both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force to test GNSS receivers. A StarNav receiver was recently bolted onto an Air Force T-38 trainer to achieve 5-foot accuracy during “dynamic maneuvers,” he said.
Another company, Silicon Valley-based oneNav, demonstrated its L5 GPS signal technology at its booth. The company’s pureL5 GNSS receiver system is an RTL core that acquires and tracks satellites via L5, E5a, E5b, B2a. OneNav says it’s the first company to develop a commercial GNSS acquisition and tracking solution that uses only L5-band signals.
Racelogic rolled out its SatGen GNSS simulation software at the conference. The software, which is an update of previous solutions, allows companies to create custom scenarios with position, route, speed, data and time, said Racelogic’s Jen Edis.
In other ION GNSS+ news:
NextNav NN 0.00%↑ announced it is a member of TCCA-Critical Communications association. NextNav is building a ecosystem of location-based applications through a terrestrial network to enhance the work of first responders, the company said.
Syntony’s CERBER (Photo: Kevin Dennehy). Syntony announced that it has developed a GNSS receiver embedded in a CRPA solution called CERBER. The unit’s tech relies on the integration of CRPA treatment, with a 4-array antenna, and the GNSS receiver embedded, the company said. CERBER, developed to meet the growing demand for civil infrastructure, also has anti-jamming and anti-spoofing resilience.
RX Networks demonstrated its TruePoint.io GNSS service. TruePoint.io is designed to offer a correction stream with a 99.9 percent Service Level Agreement, the company said.
Read more ION GNSS+ 23 coverage in the next Location Business News.
Get privacy law compliant in minutes with iubenda!
Iubenda offers attorney-level software solutions to make websites and apps compliant with GDPR and EU Cookie Law, CCPA, LGPD, and other privacy laws. Trusted by over 85,000 clients in 100+ countries and suitable for all types of businesses – from simple blogs and e-commerce platforms to enterprise websites. Iubenda’s software solutions allow creating legal documents like privacy and cookie policies, and terms and conditions, displaying cookie notices, managing consent and handling internal privacy across various countries and in multiple languages. The solutions are self-updating, responsive and cover multiple legislations, in 9 languages from a single central dashboard. Customer support is currently offered in English, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese and French.
Get your business discovered on TikTok
- Maximize ROI by reaching your most relevant audience - Reach new audiences in 20+ markets worldwide - Fast setup for every level of expertise - Flexible budget that works for businesses of all sizes.
Geotab and Lytx to Integrate Technology for Video Telematics Solution
Fleet management giants Geotab and Lytx are partnering to combine connected transportation solutions with video security for a new video telematics solution. The companies say that by integrating the technologies, a large amount of data is obtained to compliment video images and analysis.
Video telematics, the companies say, is the number one selling point of security in transportation—particularly for emergencies. “With video telematics, two powerful tools are presented in one, so how can companies integrate them and make the most of this union? From the beginning, that was the question that guided the direction of this collaboration between Geotab and Lytx," said Jonathan Solis, Geotab's Latam Marketplace, senior manager.
The companies plan to integrate the technologies through Geotab’s Order Now marketplace. The linkage through the MyGeotab platform allows the user to have vehicle information in one place, the company said.
The companies say that some fleet installations can take up to 3 hours. However, the companies’ video telematics can be installed by linking a device to a smartphone.
Optimize your Sales Strategy with Apollo
Search, engage and convert over 250 million contacts at over 60 million companies with Apollo’s sales intelligence and engagement platform.
Other Location News:
News tip? Send them to kdennehy@driverlessreport.com. Go to www.locationbusinessnews.com for more news and an archive of stories.
Top News:
😐 California Bill to Ban Driverless Autonomous Trucks Goes to Newsom's Desk. “In a blow to the autonomous trucking industry, the California Senate passed a bill Monday that requires a trained human safety operator to be present any time a self-driving, heavy-duty vehicle operates on public roads in the state. In effect, the bill bans driverless AV trucks. AB 316, which passed the senate floor with 36 votes in favor and two against, still needs to be signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom before it becomes law. Newsom has a reputation for being friendly to the tech industry, and is expected to veto AB 316.”
💲 IoT Networking Startup Flolive Raises $47M. “The company’s other offering makes it possible to create a dedicated 5G network at locations such as factories.”
☹ Collins Aerospace Announces Layoffs. “One percent of Collins' total workforce would be 800 employees.”
✈ BAE Systems and QinetiQ Collaborate on Autonomous Uncrewed Air Systems. “The autonomous mission management system enables operators to use a mix of crewed and uncrewed assets collaboratively on the battlefield, all managed by a human decision maker.”
🚘 IAA - AI-AI-Yi! Roger Lanctot’s take on IAA.
💰 Taiwan Chip Giant TSMC To Invest up to $100 Million in Arm IPO. “TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, said its approved an investment in Arm of up to $100 million when the British semiconductor designer goes public.”
Maps:
🗺 It’s 2023. So Why Isn’t Map Making Easy? James Killick: “This jaded mapping curmudgeon has been in the industry a good few years and as a result has witnessed a few mapping epochs — the dawn of global digital street maps, the dawn of internet mapping and the dawn of mobile mapping to name just a few.”
🌍 Alibaba's Amap, Supported by China's GPS Rival Beidou, Expands Global Coverage To Boost Belt and Road Plan. “The digital map now supports route planning and navigation in more than 200 countries and regions, according to Amap CEO Liu Zhenfei. Users can search for nearby attractions, restaurants and hotels in countries taking part in Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.”
📱 Apple Maps Detailed City Experience: Everything You Need to Know. “The days when Apple Maps offered turn-by-turn guidance to oceans, directly into buildings, or streets with no names are long gone, and the detailed city experience, also known as DCE, is part of a major transformation that's slowly turning the service into a Google Maps killer.”
😏 Waze Adds Alien Theming To Everyday Navigation. “In Waze’s latest Alien update, new moods and voices are available to bring a little extraterrestrial life into your sedan.”
😑 This Google Maps Rival Built a Waze Alternative to Help You Avoid Fines. “Navigation specialist TomTom [TOM2] has tried to push this approach further with AmiGO, its freeware app that can easily serve as a Waze alternative.”
Reach nearly 14,000 subscribers and 100,000 more via social media by advertising in Location Business News!
We can promote your webinar, service or product to a focused group of industry executives. Email us at info@driverlessreport.com for more information, or click here to view our one-page media kit.
Connected and Autonomous Vehicles:
😐 Waymo: Our Cars Are 'Significantly Safer' Than Cars Driven by Humans. “Unlike people, an AV ‘never gets drunk, tired, or distracted,’ the company says.”
😠 Teamsters Applaud California Senate for Passing Autonomous Vehicle Bill, Demand Gov. Newsom Sign It. Nothing like trying to destroy an industry with regs…
🚛 Softbank Group Backs Former Argo AI Founders on New Self-Driving Trucks Startup Stack AV. “Bryan Salesky, Peter Rander and Brett Browning — the trio behind the now defunct Ford F 0.00%↑ and VW-backed autonomous vehicle startup Argo AI — have formed a new company called Stack AV that’s focused on commercializing self-driving trucks. SoftBank Group is the sole investor in the endeavor.”
🚆 Autonomous Truck Platoons Are a Bust, but They Work if You Put Them on Rails. “A better idea would be to shift some of that cargo to our underutilized railways—here, the idea of platooning is an old one, better known as a "train." Parallel Systems hopes to do just that with its second-generation autonomous battery-electric freight railcar.”
🚚 Autonomous Driving Goes Into High Gear. “Self-driving-car pioneer and Aurora CEO Chris Urmson insists driverless trucks won’t immediately put people out of jobs—even as he moves full speed ahead with his company’s self-driving software.”
Drones:
🛩 Russia Keeps Jamming Ukrainian Drones, Forcing Their Operators To Move Closer to the Front Line — And Into Greater Danger. “Ukrainian drone operators told BBC News that Russian forces have moved many of their cyber teams, including jammers, close to the front lines of the war, and extending the range of jamming technology closer to Ukraine's troops.”
Other Stuff:
📷 GoPro Literally Loses Its Way as It Removes GPS From New GoPro HERO12 Black. “The new GoPro flagship action camera no longer knows where you are or where you've been - and lots of users aren't happy”
😉 Saab Camouflage Net Blocks Radar but Lets in GPS and Radio Signals. “Saab's new Ultra-Lightweight Camouflage Screen (ULCAS) is a net that allows soldiers to hide from radar sweeps, while still being able to receive GPS signals and radio communications.”
Get smarter in 5 minutes with Morning Brew (it's free)
There's a reason over 4 million people start their day with Morning Brew - the daily email that delivers the latest news from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Business news doesn't have to be boring...make your mornings more enjoyable, for free.
Location Industry Briefs
Send your news releases to kdennehy@driverlessreport.com. Go to www.locationbusinessnews.com for more news and an archive of stories.
New Index Identifies EV Leaders and Laggards in the U.S. and Europe
HERE Technologies and SBD Automotive have published an interactive index that shows the developing state of electric vehicle (EV) demand and infrastructure readiness across the United States and Europe. The HERE-SBD Automotive EV Index highlights, since 2020, U.S. state-level and European country-level leaders and laggards based on various critical metrics, including the number of charging points, vehicle registrations, geography and road network length, the companies said.
Overall, only 12 U. S. states and 15 European countries have achieved an optimal ratio of EVs-on-the-road to public chargers. The full rankings, interactive visuals and maps for all 50 U.S. states and 30 EU countries can be found at: https://www.here.com/ev-index.
Contact: Chris Atkinson, SBD Automotive, 44 (0) 1908 305 107, chrisatkinson@sbdautomotive.com, www.sbdautomotive.com.
NavtechGPS Offers New NovAtel OEM 7720
NovAtel has announced the release of the latest version of their Waypoint post-processing software, version 9.00. The new release applies to the company’s Inertial Explorer and GraftNav/GraftNav Static.
The new update includes a streamlined GUI, making it easier than ever to achieve centimeter-level accuracy with NovAtel's receivers, the company said. The update also includes support for BeiDou Phase III.
Contact: Precy Aquino-Jessen, NavtechGPS, (703) 256-8900, ext. 104, pjessen@navtechgps.com, www.navtechgps.com.
U-blox Launches NEO-F10N GNSS Module
Thalwil, Switzerland-based u-blox has launched the NEO-F10N GNSS module. The company says the new module achieves better position accuracy in urban environments because of its dual-band multipath mitigation technology.
The module can access signals from the L1/L5 bands, rather than only from the L1 band. The u-blox NEO-F10N is tailored for industrial applications, including aftermarket telematics and micromobility, the company said.
Contact: Natacha Seitz, u-blox, 41 76 436 0788, natacha.seitz@u-blox.com, www.u-blox.com.
Digital Matter Offers D Cell Housing for the Hawk IoT Data Logger
Digital Matter has rolled out its Hawk IoT data logger and sensor hub for cellular LTE-M/NB networks. Hawk, which is designed to support a range of sensor integrations, is available in several power and housing variations, the company said.
Other features include over-the-air (OTA) remote device configuration, management and firmware updates. Hawk PCB, I/O cards, and housing are sold separately.
Contact: Shay Kettner, Digital Matter, shay@digitalmatter.com, www.digitalmatter.com.
ORBCOMM Rolls Out Solar-Powered Tracking Solution
ORBCOMM has launched a solar-powered asset tracking solution that enables fleets of any size to monitor trailers, intermodal containers and other transportation assets. ORBCOMM’s new solution, which is part of its CT 1000 product line, offers asset location, start/stop motion status and configurable alerts a few times a day, the company said.
The solution, via geofencing through the ORBCOMM platform, allows fleet managers to estimate arrival times, detect misuse or unauthorized use of their assets and deploy corrective measures to mitigate delays that impact operations, the company said.
Contact: Lina Paerez, (613) 875-1485, paerez.lina@orbcomm.com, www.orbcomm.com.
Create a FREE ManyMe Account.
Garmin Launches GPSMAP 9000
Garmin $GRMN rolled out its flagship GPSMAP 9000 chartplotter series that is available with 19", 22", 24" or 27" touchscreen displays. The chartplotter features Garmin's fastest map drawing and Auto Guidance+ routing, the company said.
With Garmin's new BlueNet gigabit network, mariners can link the GPSMAP 9000 series with multiple chartplotters, cameras, radars, sonars and more at 10 times faster networking speeds, the company said. The GPSMAP 9219, 9222, 9224 and 9227 come preloaded with Garmin Navionics+ mapping.
Contact: Carly Hysell, Garmin, (913) 397-8200, media.relations@garmin.com.
Sheeva.AI Connects Its 1,500,000th Service Point
Sheeva.AI has surpassed its goal of more than 1 million new service points mapped this year, the company said. The firm has geofenced and mapped its 1,500,000th service point, including EV charger connectors, gas pumps and parking spaces globally.
In North America, the company, which is exhibiting this week at the Detroit Auto Show, has mapped 1,400,000 parking spaces in 12 metropolitan areas, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, DC. The company’s SheevaFence and SheevaLocate technology automatically detects the vehicle at the specific gas pump, parking spot, EV charger, or drive through lane to within two meters, the company said.
Contact: Trevor Curwin, Sheeva.AI, (415) 646-6063, tcurwin@sheeva.ai.
Quectel Introduces EG800Q-NA
Quectel Wireless Solutions has rolled out the LTE Cat 1 bis module, the EG800Q-NA, powered by the Qualcomm QCOM 0.00%↑ QCX216 LTE IoT modem. The module, rolled out for the North American IoT market, delivers a 10 Mbps downlink data rate, the company said.
The download rate is critical for smart utility meters, asset trackers, e-mobility, parking meters and home automation, the company said.
Contact: Quectel, www.quectel.com.
Thrifty Launches FlexiConnect with Ridecell
Thrifty Car & Van Rental has launched FlexiConnect for fleets in the United Kingdom with Ridecell. FlexiConnect provides businesses with a fleet of long-term rental vehicles that individual employees can book for as little as 15 minutes at a time and gain instant access via a free app or secure RFID card, the company said.
Ridecell’s fleet sharing platform and app has allowed Thrifty to bring FlexiConnect to market, the company said. Ridecell’s Fleet Transformation Cloud modernizes fleets by turning existing fleet management insights into triggers for automated workflows, the company said.
Contact: Ridecell, www.ridecell.com.
GO TO-U and Parkopedia Partner
GO TO-U, which specializes in EV charging infrastructure management, has partnered with Parkopedia. GO TO-U will share data points from its network of EV charging stations with Parkopedia.
The deal allows activations and payment technology to empower drivers to secure charging sessions and pay for them, the company said. By incorporating GO TO-U's data insights, Parkopedia will enhance its connected car services, the company said.
Contact: Adam Calland, Parkopedia, 44(0)7838219129, adam.calland@parkopedia.com.
Compliantly hire anyone, anywhere, in 5 minutes with Deel
Deel is your one-stop shop for hiring, paying, and managing your remote team. We stay on top of local labor laws across the world to ensure compliance and mitigate risk so that you don't have to.
People
Mobileye Global MBLY 0.00%↑ has named Moran Rojansky as its chief financial officer, succeeding Anat Heller who left the role in June for personal reasons. Rojansky, 43, has been with the Israel-based company since 2016.
Chris Lento has been named director of telematics and client success at SafetyFirst Systems.
Taylor Scholefield has been appointed commercial operations manager at Cruise.
Edgar Johansson has been named director of business development, commercial space at VALT Enterprizes.
Jobs
Careers. Mapbox.
Data Acquisition Manager. HERE Technologies.
Open Positions. Septentrio.
Careers. Garmin.
Careers. Esri.
Click HERE to Join our growing Location Business News LinkedIn Group!