Audi AG Selects INRIX XD(TM) Traffic to Power the Automaker's First Connected Navigation System
By Inrix, PRNESunday, January 23, 2011
First TPEG Over IP-based Pan-European Real-Time Traffic Service Debuts in the 2011 Audi A6
PALERMO, Italy, January 24, 2011 - Audi AG and INRIX, the leading provider of traffic and driver services,
announced Audi has selected INRIX's XD(TM) Traffic to help further the
company's Audi Connect strategy with real-time traffic information for its
navigation systems starting with the mid-2011 model year. At a launch event
today for the 2011 Audi A6, the automaker demonstrated how Audi vehicles
connected to the Internet via Audi Online Services will use XD Traffic to
provide motorists with real-time traffic information, traffic-influenced
turn-by-turn directions and alerts to accidents and other incidents along
their route.
(Photo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110124/AQ34536) (Logo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060424/SFM077LOGO-b)
"Audi is continuously looking for ways to harness the benefits of the
latest technologies to improve the driving experience for our customers,"
said Ulrich Beeskow, Head of Development for Connected Navigation, Audi AG.
"Traffic is no exception. The combination of INRIX's XD Traffic and Connected
Services platform helps Audi become the first car manufacturer in the world
to deliver a high quality and reliable connected navigation systems our
customers can count on to always find the best route and avoid unforeseen
delays along the way."
"Audi and INRIX are known as technology innovators so it's only natural
that we're collaborating on the design and delivery of a highly advanced
traffic-powered navigation solution for their customers," said Bryan Mistele,
INRIX president and CEO. "The accelerated development and integration of XD
Traffic with Audi's MMI navigation system fuels Audi navigation with the best
pan-European real-time traffic information available. Our collaboration
advances the automaker's reputation as an industry leader in bringing the
latest technical breakthroughs to drivers everywhere."
INRIX XD Traffic debuts on the new Audi MMI with Online Traffic available
with today's launch of the 2011 Audi A6. The announcement represents the
first product launch in the collaborations between Audi, INRIX and the
automaker's hardware and software suppliers to deliver real-time traffic
information to Audi's connected navigation systems. Delivered via INRIX's
Connected Services platform, the service will be available initially in
select European countries as part of an options package that includes
Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity.
As a key component of a unique suite of Audi Online services, XD Traffic
combines real-time traffic information from INRIX's Smart Driver Network of
more than 4 million GPS-enabled vehicles and mobile devices with insights
from hundreds of public and private sources to recommend the best routes as
well as provide reliable travel journey times and ETAs. Covering major
highways, motorways, city streets and secondary roads in countries across
Europe and North America, XD Traffic continuously monitors traffic conditions
along drivers' routes delivering up to the minute alerts to accidents, road
works and other incidents as well as recommending how to best navigate around
them.
About INRIX
INRIX(R) is a leading provider of highly accurate traffic and driver
services, with more than 120 customers and industry partners including the
Ford Motor Company, Toyota, Audi AG, MapQuest, Microsoft, NAVIGON AG,
TeleNav, I-95 Corridor Coalition, Tele Atlas, TTI, deCarta, TCS, Telmap, ANWB
and ADAC. INRIX's strategic partnerships across Europe extend the delivery of
the highest quality data and broadest coverage available for personal
navigation, mapping, telematics and other location-based service applications
in the car, online and on mobile devices.
INRIX Traffic Services leverage sophisticated statistical analysis
techniques, originally developed by Microsoft Research, to aggregate and
enhance traffic-related information from hundreds of public and private
sources, including traditional road sensors and the company's unique network
of more than 4 million GPS-enabled vehicles and cellular devices. INRIX
delivers highly accurate real-time and historical traffic information today
for 20 countries across North America and Europe. To experience the traffic
technology revolution behind the next generation of navigation and
location-based service applications, visit www.inrix.com.
About Audi AG
In 2010, The Audi Group sold more than 1 million Audi automobiles. In
2009 the company achieved sales of Euro 29.8 billion an operating profit of
Euro 1.6 billion. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, Gyor
(Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). Aurangabad in India saw
the start of CKD production of the Audi A6 at the end of 2007 and of the Audi
A4 in early October 2008. Production of the new Audi A1 has been running at
the Brussels plant since May 2010. The Company is active in more than 100
markets worldwide.
AUDI AG's wholly owned subsidiaries include AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft.,
Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A. in Sant'Agata Bolognese (Italy) and
quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Audi currently employs around 58,000 people
worldwide, including 45,500 in Germany. Between 2010 and 2012 the Audi Group
is planning to invest around Euro 5.5bn, mainly in new products, in order to
sustain the Company's technological lead embodied in its "Truth in
Engineering" slogan. By 2015, Audi plans to increase the number of models in
its portfolio to 42. Complete results for the 2010 fiscal year for Audi AG
will be shared at the company's annual press conference on March 8, 2011 in
Ingolstadt.
Audi's commitment to "Truth in Engineering" has for long been true on
many levels. This extends to the company's social responsibility efforts
focused on delivering a better tomorrow for future generations. Environmental
protection, resource conservation, international competitiveness and a
sustainable human resources policy therefore form the procedural basis for
the sustained success of Audi. The environmental commitment of AUDI AG is
also reflected in the Audi Foundation for the Environment.
Jim Bak of INRIX, +1-425-284-3825, jimb at inrix.com; or Oliver Strohbach of Audi AG, +49(0)841-89-45277, Oliver.strohbach at audi.de
Tags: Germany, INRIX, Italy, January 24, Palermo