Amerigon offers world's first and only voice-interactive car navigation system now available to consumers; affordable Interactive Voice System talks back to consumers, gives driving instructions, directions to ATMs, McDonald's and more

Business Wire, Dec 27, 1995

MONROVIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 27, 1995--With more than 100 million cars on the road each day, driving just got easier.

Amerigon Inc. Wednesday announced that the world's first voice-activated, interactive car navigation system, Interactive Voice System (IVS)(tm), has hit the streets and is telling consumers where to go.

Easily installed into compatible CD car stereo systems, IVS(tm) responds to North American dialects including accents from Dallas to Boston. It allows drivers to navigate and play music with the same CD system, and switch back and forth between the two. Unlike global positioning satellite systems, IVS(tm) does not use screens, sensors or additional buttons that normally require drivers to take their eyes off the road and hands off the steering wheel.

"IVS(tm) responds to commands, letters and numbers spoken by virtually any voice," said Paula Finnegan, Amerigon's sales and marketing manager for navigation systems. "It's like having a co-pilot or a computer with a voice -- drivers receive immediate feedback."

IVS(tm) is also designed to ignore environmental noise such as background music, wind and other vehicles, while listening for driver commands. Due to its compact size (about the size of a VHS tape) and simple design, the navigator module fits easily behind the dash, under a seat or in the trunk, requiring no modification to the car's interior. A miniature microphone is the only visible add-on to the car audio system.

How IVS(tm) works

The IVS(tm) navigator accepts addresses, cross streets and landmarks as location inputs. To enter locations, the driver spells a street name or a word within a landmark name. The navigator then asks the driver to verify its selection and proceeds with step-by-step directions. IVS(tm) is equipped with a built-in spell checker to help find the correct street or landmark name, as well as provide the anticipated travel distance.

IVS(tm) highlights

Designed to provide maximum user convenience, the IVS(tm) navigator directs drivers to nearby services such as gas stations, ATM machines, hotels, shopping centers, golf courses and rental car agencies.

"It will either direct you to the nearest service or a particular one," explained Finnegan. "For instance, if you discover that you are out of money and have arrived at a restaurant for dinner, you just ask for the nearest ATM machine or, if you need to get to a particular McDonald's to meet friends, it will locate the correct one for you."

And, like the telephone speed dial feature, IVS(tm) stores frequently used driver starting points and destinations into memory for instant recall. Special commands such as I AM LOST, NO TURN, BLOCKED and ONE WAY are also available to help re-route the driver.

Where to buy IVS(tm) navigation

The IVS(tm) navigation system will be available nation wide where Alpine, Clarion, Eclipse and Kenwood products are sold. The IVS(tm) hardware retails between $600 and $700, which does not include the price of the compatible car CD player or changer.

IVS software

IVS(tm) map software is contained on a standard audio CD, categorized according to major metropolitan areas within a state. Metro locations currently available include: New York/New Jersey, Washington D.C./Baltimore, Los Angeles/Orange counties, Los Angeles five-county extended coverage, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Chicago, Detroit and Indianapolis. Ten additional cities will be available in the spring of 1996. The digital map data is provided by Navigation Technologies Corp. in Sunnyvale, Calif.

Software is included with each manufacturer's system and may be turned on by calling 800/710-7734. Customers are then given an 11-digit passcode to activate their software. The cost to activate a specified metro area is only $79.95. Consumers who activate more than one map at a time receive a 10% discount on subsequent maps.

Vehicle demonstration rides will be available at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show, Jan. 4-7, in Las Vegas. Contact Amy McKibbin for details: 714/722-9474.

With headquarters in Monrovia, Calif., Amerigon Inc. designs and manufactures proprietary products for the conventional automotive industry and emerging electric vehicle market. In addition to IVS(tm), Amerigon is also developing an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Radar System to aid in detecting blind spots, pre-collision airbag deployment and distance control; and a Climate Control Seat System that provides cooling and heating comfort through solid state technology.

CONTACT: Amerigon Inc.

Paula Finnegan, 818/932-1240

or

Amy McKibbon, 714/722-9474