Motorola Makes Strategic Investment In Navigation Companies

Autoparts Report, Feb 14, 2000

Motorola said it has strengthened its telematic capabilities by investing in two development companies, BCI Navigation, S.A. of Evry, France, and Liikkuva Systems International, Inc. of Sacramento, Calif.

The alliances with BCI Navigation and Liikkuva Systems International are part of a larger strategy to build upon the safety, security, navigation and concierge services already being delivered to drivers today through Motorola telematics capabilities, the company said.

BCI Navigation is an engineering firm specializing in research and development of vehicle navigation software and map database management. Motorola also purchased the technical assets of Liikkuva, a software development company specializing in traveler information systems and in-vehicle navigation, Motorola said. Liikkuva's team of engineers are now employees of Motorola.

According to Marios Zenios, corporate vice president and general manager of Motorola's Telematics Communications Group, navigation is an important component within the overall automotive communications technology market, known as telematics. "Our navigation initiative is key in our automotive communications technology efforts," Zenios said.

"Motorola is poised to offer a complete combination of wireless voice and data to provide location-specific security, information, productivity and in-vehicle entertainment services to drivers and their passengers, he added."

In a joint effort with its Liikkuva engineers and BCI Navigation, Motorola said it will develop server-based automotive navigation systems. In addition, Motorola said it's existing relationship with Trafficmaster Plc. further supports its long-range goal of making these server-based systems include traffic information. Server based navigation is an important component of the overall telematics solution that Motorola is bringing to automotive manufacturers and other partners in the telematics marketplace, he said.