GPS Tracking Devices » New GPS Tracking Devices

Novatracker Intros the ‘Maya’

admin — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 12:36:06 +0000

NovaTracker is introducing a more intelligent generation of highly customizable wireless and GPS hardware solutions powered by proprietary technology that integrates easily with most vehicle tracking software and significantly cuts transmission costs.

Fleet managers consistently report that as much as 50 percent of the information they receive from a GPS solution isn’t precisely what they need, so the other half results in higher transmission costs.

The Maya is an extremely versatile and reliable in-vehicle GPS equipped, GSM capable data hub that allows existing fleet management software solutions to do far more, with less. Engineered specifically for the fleet-tracking industry, Maya generates an unparalleled array of customized and highly relevant data transmissions.

Leveraging the intelligent technology developed by NovaTracker as the proprietary platform for its wireless and GPS solutions — Maya becomes an in-vehicle network hub. Specifically, this intelligent unit is capable of providing a large range of data types such as location reporting, vehicle status and a wide variety of event codes including geofence violation. It is the only device on the market today that will transmit information the customer has specified with as many as 16 different variables.

"Fleet managers consistently report that as much as 50 percent of the information they receive from a GPS solution isn’t precisely what they need, so the other half results in higher transmission costs." explains David Leis, chief marketing officer at NovaTracker. We believe our new products will offer significant savings and enhancements to existing GPS applications, setting a new standard in the industry — just what the customer ordered."

Moreover, Maya is easily installed and integrated with the customer’s existing web enabled routing and scheduling application software to enhance fleet management, routing, tracking and dispatching capabilities by giving users unsurpassed functionality through route verification, real-time vehicle tracking and in vehicle communications.

The simplicity and compactness of the Maya provides for fast deployment using minimal space. The Maya is equipped with two digital and one analog input channels. Options include Bluetooth and USB I/O.

Technorati Tags: GPS Vehicle Tracking, New GPS Tracking Devices, Novatracker, Maya gps

mobiles2go Launches BLOCK Vehicle Tracking

admin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 08:53:00 +0000

From ABI Research

mobiles2go Launches BLOCK Vehicle Tracking Device

Technorati Tags: General News, GPS Vehicle Tracking, Gps tracking, Gps vehicle tracking, Gps tracking devices

At this year’s 3GSM World Congress, leading mobile location based services (MLBS) provider, mobiles2go, will unveil the BLOCK, a new vehicle management tracking device that combines the very latest GPS technology to enable businesses or individuals to track the location of any asset.

The smallest and lightest device of its kind on the market, measuring W58 x L95 x D15.5mm and weighing just 70g, the BLOCK is ideally suited for vehicle security and fleet management. Easy to install in any vehicle, with no ongoing infrastructure overheads or technical support required, the BLOCK opens up opportunities for operators and distributors to increase revenues and customer loyalty, through data usage or creating voice and data bundles. Operators and distributors can simply sell the device and then bill the customer for the service and data usage.

The BLOCK offers a range of state-of-the-art, GPS-based features for both private and commercial use.

Private vehicle security - the BLOCK is an ideal security solution for owners of private vehicles, offering the following features:

- Small footprint, which makes it easy to install under a dashboard

- A ’Park’ mode, so the device can alert the owner if the vehicle moves

- Ability to set up adjustable zones. As soon as the device moves out of the designated areas, the owner is alerted by text message

- Ability to initiate a real-time trace at any time, to reveal the BLOCK’s location in seconds

- Mileage reporting, to help business travellers keep track of work-related travel costs

Commercial fleet management - The BLOCK also provides a host of features specifically designed for commercial vehicles, enabling fleet managers to reduce insurance costs, easily and cost effectively monitor their fleet, improve employee efficiency on the road, and control costs and use of the vehicles. Features include:

- Instant trace function to pinpoint the location of each vehicle at any time

- The ability to follow the exact route of any vehicle

- The ability to view and monitor the entire fleet on one screen

- The ability to set up adjustable travel zones for each vehicle. Fleet managers are alerted as soon as an asset moves out of a designated area

- Kilometre/mileage registration module by trip

Mark Gullickson, CEO of mobiles2go, commented: "The vehicle tracking devices that are currently available on the market are complex, often with outdated maps, and with restrictive high entry costs and ongoing costs of ownership. mobiles2go has developed a product that firmly focuses on the user experience, offering the easy to use, flexible and customisable service that customers really need and want, at a price they can afford. Our approach will ensure that operators and distributors can take advantage of this burgeoning market with state of the art, feature-rich MLBS applications and services."

The BLOCK is the latest in a line of innovative MLBS products and services to be launched by mobiles2go and follows the introduction of the company’s i-Kids child safety device across Europe in 2006. The mobiles2go complete range of MLBS products will be showcased throughout 3GSM on 2.1 F84.

Omniscout Intros Two New GPRS/GPS Portable Devices

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 20:23:47 +0000

From ABI Research

Omniscout Intros Two New GPRS/GPS Portable Devices

Omniscout recently launched the Omniscout Portable and Portable Pro GPRS/GPS devices at V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati, OH.

The two models are the most sophisticated and effective monitoring and tracking devices on the market today. Equal in size to a small cell phone and weighing only 80 gr/2.8 ounces, they can be easily hidden in a vehicle or on a person.

Both devices will determine and report the global location of any mobile asset, vehicle, or person where the Omniscout device is located with an accuracy of a few meters. The devices are a hybrid of two technologies, the Global Positioning System (GPS) and GSM/GPRS wireless communications network, which enables them to communicate a location and receive commands using the international (GSM/GPRS) wireless networks, used by most of the world’s cellular communications companies.

With a suggested retail price starting at (US) $499., both Omniscout models are available immediately at selected motorcycle dealers in the United States and Canada.

"Motorcycle enthusiasts make significant investments in their bikes, from specialized chrome accessories, unique paint jobs to upgraded parts, which can cost in the tens of thousands dollars," says Robert Metz, President of Worldscout Corporation. "The Omniscout Portable and Portable Pro give users an added degree of comfort because the system will immediately alert and notify the owner if it is being stolen or even moved without authorization."

The motorcycle and RV market — which includes motor homes, snowmobiles, watercraft, ATVs, and sport boats — is quickly becoming the most frequently stolen in North America. In fact, 75,000 motorcycles are reported stolen each year in North America.

The Omniscout Portable and Portable Pro give motorcycle owners a way to protect their investments and fight back. Most similar devices suffer from an inherited GPS limitation where the satellite signal can be detected only if there is a clear view to the sky. The Omniscout Portable and Portable Pro use a sophisticated Assisted GPS (AGPS) system supported by Worldscout’s proprietary, patent pending unique Adaptive Assisted GPS (AAGPS), enabling them to communicate with the GPS satellites to obtain the exact location of the device without a clear view of the sky, even from inside buildings.

Unlike passive theft prevention devices, the two new devices act independently to notify users about vehicle whereabouts — every movement can be easily tracked and monitored. GPS location on demand, real time tracking, street level mapping, cellular connectivity and the most advanced geo fencing, remote controlling and monitoring functions are all available. Additional features of the omniscout Portable Pro system include: enhanced functionality including greater tracking options, speed alerts, geo fencing, AC, 12 volt Car and USB Charger, and Three Year Warranty with Accidental Damage Protection.

Technorati Tags: GPS Developments, GPS Personal Tracking, GPS Vehicle Tracking, Omniscout, Portable gps tracking

AirIQ, SIEMENS Team to Deliver M2M Digital Solutions

admin — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 16:39:43 +0000

From ABI Research

AirIQ, SIEMENS Team to Deliver M2M Digital Solutions

AirIQ Inc. today announced their intention to enter into a strategic agreement with the Siemens Wireless Modules Division of Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. to work together to provide digital solutions to North American Machine-to-Machine (M2M) markets.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Siemens M2M ONE, a global full solution provider of M2M technology and services, will become a lead channel partner for the AirIQ solution. AirIQ will utilize Siemens products across the breadth of its markets including AirIQ service for Fleets, Vehicle Finance, Consumer Vehicles and Personal Tracking.

"This agreement will enable customers to purchase a complete product service offering from two of the top names in the mobile communications Automated Vehicle Location space," said Peter Fowler, Siemens Energy and Automation, Inc. "The Siemens Module runs on the current digital GSM/GPRS networks, and will allow for further advancements in this market space."

Through Siemens M2M One, Siemens Wireless Modules produces both modules and terminals, and offers comprehensive integration and sales support services, combining technology and service in a one-stop machine-to-machine solution.

Technorati Tags: GPS Personal Tracking, GPS Vehicle Tracking, New GPS Tracking Devices, Airiq, Siemens, M2m, Fleet management, Tracking devices

u-blox to Unveil New Galileo-Ready GPS Chip

admin — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 07:42:30 +0000

From ABI Research

u-blox AG will unveil u-blox 5, a GPS and Galileo-ready chip featuring an acquisition performance of less than one second, at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona.

3GSM, which runs from 12-15 February, is one of the worldâ€™s largest telecommunications trade fairs and is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors this year, providing a unique opportunity for mobile network providers, product manufacturers and distributors to meet and exchange views.

u-blox will be promoting its u-blox 5 chip at the event. The new technology boasts an acquisition and tracking sensitivity of -160 dBm that enables indoor coverage, a 50-channel engine and a power consumption of less than 50 mW. Its energy efficiency and tracking sensitivity make it ideal for GPS-enabled mobile phones and other battery-operated portable devices that operate in difficult indoor environments like shopping malls, train stations and urban canyons.

u-blox will also be showcasing recent innovations like AssistNow(r) services, u-bloxâ€™ end-to-end A-GPS solutions that enhance receiver performance, enabling instant positioning anywhere, at anytime. AssistNow services make the long waiting times usually associated with standard GPS acquisition performance a thing of the past, even in difficult signal conditions. The recently introduced AssistNow Offline provides assistance data valid for up to 14 days, which is stored in the GPS receiver. This enables the receiver to compute a position instantly without having to connect to a mobile network at start-up to download the data, as is the case with typical A-GPS services.

“The combination of u-blox high performance GPS receivers with our recently launched AssistNow services ensures our users benefit from accurate, instant positioning anywhere, at anytime,” said Thomas Seiler, u-blox CEO. “AssistNow services enable a wide range of uses including E-911 and E-112 applications and location based services. u-blox 5 products support the OMA SUPL, RRLP and RRC standards and thus offer global interoperability”.

Technorati Tags: New GPS Tracking Devices, Ublox, Galileo, Assistnow, Gps receivers

Blue Sky Network’s Satellite-Based Asset Tracking Ships

admin — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:36:19 +0000

D2000M/MD Provides Instant Vehicle and Vessel Location Anywhere on Earth.

Blue Sky Network, the global logistics solution provider for two-way linking and managing transportation assets via satellite, today announced that it has begun initial shipments of its D2000M/MD product line. This conveniently sized satellite terminal provides customers with real-time position reporting of land-based vehicles and water-based vessels over the Iridium satellite network, as well as two-way messaging capabilities and GPS mapping, including Google Earth integration, courtesy of Blue Sky Network’s interactive Web portal, SkyRouter.

The D2000M/MD addresses the needs of mobile asset managers including those working with large/small trucks, tractor-trailers, lone-workers, container ships and more. With its lightweight 2.2-pound form factor, it makes the most of limited storage space available on many transportation assets. Additionally, since its battery runs over 24 hours in a single charge, users without access to electricity can still maintain constant communication with their dispatch offices.

â€œFleet managers are excited to use our product,â€ said Jon Gilbert, president of Blue Sky Network. â€œIt offers them a way to easily track their boats, trucks, cars and other various assets. The D2000 will prove to be an essential part of our customers’ mobile asset management systems, vastly improving both safety and efficiency.â€

Building on the strengths of its aircraft flight tracking solutions, Blue Sky Network’s D2000M/MD not only features next-generation technology from Iridium and much smaller form factor than previously available, but also is priced very competitively. The satellite asset-tracking unit is the size of a car stereo and can be easily installed on a vehicle or vessel for instant, global two-way text messaging communications.

Technorati Tags: GPS Vehicle Tracking, New GPS Tracking Devices, Blue sky network, Skyrouter

GE Security Unveils Next Gen Container Security Solution

admin — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 09:12:31 +0000

From ABI Research

The container security device is positioned inside an intermodal cargo container and registers any opening of the container door. Fixed and handheld readers at critical points along the supply chain collect container status from the device and report it.

GE Security and its global partners today announced the release of the latest version of the CommerceGuard System, which is designed to further increase security of cargo containers and ports by addressing dangerous vulnerabilities in todayâ€™s global supply chain.

Version 3.0 extends CommerceGuardâ€™s container security system with new, ultra rugged readers; automated XML data feeds for use by customers to track the status and location of their shipments, and a secure protocol for highly reliable wireless messaging. Security is assured by encrypting all data communications and authenticating all hardware transactions and authorized users. Extensive lab and field tests conducted by independent third parties show wireless communications for the system exceed 99% reliability, and the sensor detects container breaches with a false positive rate that is less than 1 percent.

â€œThe U.S. Congress has identified a lack of maritime security as one of our countryâ€™s greatest vulnerabilities and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security continues to seek technologies that can safeguard maritime container shipments,â€ said Randy Koch, president and CEO, CommerceGuard. â€œThe supply chainâ€™s weakest link is the transport of containers from the factory point of origin to a foreign port. CommerceGuard addresses this vulnerability today by detecting and reporting security breaches while the containers are in-transit.â€

â€œItâ€™s crystal clear that more progress needs to be made with port and container security,â€ said A. Louis Parker, president and CEO, GE Security. â€œGE Security is committed to making the world a safer place and we are pleased, along with our three multinational partners, to demonstrate this commitment by fielding this new generation of CommerceGuard products that can immediately and materially improve the security of cargo containers and the worldâ€™s ports.â€

The latest version of the CommerceGuard System delivers state-of-the art technology in a container security device (CSD) that can detect and report intermodal cargo container intrusions. The CSD is uniquely located inside the container for protection from sabotage as well as the harsh maritime environment. CommerceGuard is the first, market-ready global supply chain security system that can deter and detect theft, smuggling and international terrorism by integrating container security devices with a global information network.

Point-to-point tracking data from the CommerceGuard system is available to customers at no extra charge. Shippers and logistics professionals use the data for supply chain visibility. Shippers, carriers, and ports that currently operate the CommerceGuard System to protect and track assets include Starbucks Coffee Company, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp., and the Virginia Port Authority.

The CommerceGuard 3.0 products are available worldwide through a global business collaboration consisting of GE Security, Mitsubishi Corporation, Samsung Corporation, and Siemens Building Technologies. The CommerceGuard Information Network is globally established in fourteen international seaports, and is slated for additional expansion through ports in 2007.

The CommerceGuard container security device is positioned inside an intermodal cargo container and registers any opening of the container door. Fixed and handheld readers at critical points along the supply chain collect container status from the device and report it using the CommerceGuard Information Network. This information provides cargo owners greater security while tracking the location and status of shipments as their containers move through the supply chain. Tracking data is available at no additional charge as part of the CommerceGuard service. Should an unauthorized door opening occur, it is recorded as a tamper event and alerts are sent to appropriate officials. Cargo owners, authorized logistics providers and appropriate government authorities can securely access the security and tracking data from any Internet browser. GE Security holds the sales and distribution rights for the CommerceGuard system in North America and certain other regions.

Technorati Tags: New GPS Tracking Devices, Ge security, Containers, Commerceguard

Capstone Mobile Selects GE864-Quad for Fleet Tracking Application

admin — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 17:21:28 +0000

Telit Wireless Solutions, Inc., the US-based m2m mobile technology arm of Telit Communications, today announced that Capstone Mobile has signed a supply agreement with Telit. Telit’s module will be used in Capstone Mobile’s fleet tracking devices to enable mobile monitoring and tracking of high value assets.

Capstone Mobile has developed a system that allows customers to manage their vehicle fleets and view tracking information on portable devices such as laptops and PDAs. Useful for not only monitoring fleets of vehicles, this application will monitor the fleets for critical factors such as temperature and humidity level changes, breaches in containers, and, based on variances, recommend environmental adjustments.

â€œTelit’s modules possess the ability to be both backwards compatible and easily programmable,â€ said Scott Williamson, Vice President of Capstone Mobile. â€œTelit is at the top of a launching industry. The need for critical data has never been greater, and Telit has provided the ideal solution for our needs.â€

Thanks to its small, external dimensions of 30 x 30 x 2.8 mm and light weight of only seven grams, the GE864 is especially ideal for applications requiring sub-compact form-factors. With the GE864, Telit is the world’s first and only module manufacturer to offer a GSM / GPRS module with a ball grid array (BGA) installation concept.

BGA is based on tiny solder balls placed on the underside of a module allowing for direct mounting to the application circuit board, without the need for plugs, cables, or connectors. The module can now be assembled using an automated pick-and-place assembly for standard SMD components. This not only reduces material costs, but also installation time and assembly costs. The board-to-board BGA mounting is extremely stable and reliable. Together, the compact shape and reduced assembly costs are crucial advantages for use in cost-sensitive applications, such as those for the fleet management and consumer markets. The GE864 is the market’s only module viable for very large scale production in these categories.

â€œCapstone Mobile has a proven, well thought out approach to the application of wireless technology, and we welcome them as the first U.S.-based customer for Telit Wireless Solutions,â€ said Roger Dewey, President and CEO of Telit Wireless Solutions, Inc. â€œTheir applications are at the cutting edge of the wireless revolution, and together we will ensure they stay there.â€

Telit’s approach to m2m is unique-their products are divided into families, each addressing the demands of various vertical markets application groups according to size, production scale, etc. Within these families, products have the same form factor and functionality irrespective of their wireless technology (GSM, CDMA). The advantage for customers is immediately apparent because all modules within a family are interchangeable, due to uniformity in size, shape, connectors and software interface. Customers can easily replace any module with its successor because there is little or no change required to the application.

There are at least ten times more machines, equipment, vehicles and robots than there are humans in the world, creating a critical need to transfer information efficiently between machines or from machines to humans. The relatively new m2m industry delivers increased efficiency, time savings, improved customer orientation and greater flexibility.

Technorati Tags: GPS Vehicle Tracking, New GPS Tracking Devices, Telit gsm modems, M2m, Capstone Mobile