TMC Products

Picture courtesy Blaupunkt bildarchiv

Most TMC products today are in-car GPS navigation systems, using TMC information delivered using the RDS Radio Data Service over the FM radio network.  A small number of products exist which use different methods to obtain their TMC information, such as DAB digital radio in some areas in Germany, or GPRS data transfer.

The key service delivered using TMC is therefore dynamic navigation, where TMC traffic information enables GPS navigation systems to route the driver around congestion.  Systems typically also allow the driver to look at the traffic information received, either as icons on their navigation map or as a text description.

Systems may have a full map display such as the system above, or a smaller display showing basic turn-by-turn directions:

Picture courtesy Blaupunkt bildarchiv

Recently, an increasing number of manufacturers offer PDA-based navigation systems, which do not require permanent mounting in the vehicle.  Some of these have the capability to receive TMC information, thanks to an integrated or additional FM/RDS-TMC tuner.

Picture courtesy Navigon

The following are examples of manufacturers that supply, among their portfolio, products equipped to receive TMC traffic information.

Vehicle Manufacturers

It is worth noting here that nearly all in-vehicle GPS navigation systems sold today have TMC capability.  These manufacturers are closely involved in the development of the systems in their vehicles:

• BMW Group
• DaimlerChrysler
• Fiat Group
• Ford Group / Ford / Volvo / Jaguar / Land Rover
• General Motors Group / Vauxhall / Opel
• Mitsubishi
• PSA Group / Peugeot / Citroën
• Renault Nissan Group
• Toyota

Receivers

Here you can see a mixture of well-known navigation system brands alongside companies creating OEM 'original equipment' systems for a range of industry customers.

• AISIN AW
• Alpine Electronics
• Bosch - Blaupunkt
• Bury
• Clarion
• Delphi Delco Electronics Europe
• Denso
• Garmin
• Harman/Becker
• JVC
• Kenwood
• Magneti Marelli
• Mitac
• Navigon
• Navman
• Orient Power Mobile electronics
• Panasonic
• Pioneer
• Royaltek
• Siemens VDO
• Sony
• Thales Navigation
• Visteon

Map data bases and software

These companies develop key elements of the supporting maps and software enabling TMC systems and services.

• BMVBW/BASt
• Geologix
• GEWI
• Navteq
• TeleAtlas
  

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