Sat-nav: the way ahead

11th June 2007

The company has already been working with VW on interactive 3-D layouts for in-car systems and now its researchers have managed to get users even closer to the action, with the ability to view 'street-level' images on screen.

The system enables users to rotate the view, move up and down streets, and even bring up details of individual points of interest. The cutting-edge kit is still in development and currently only US cities New York and Las Vegas have received the close-up treatment - although a new sat-nav unit that lets you retrace your journey using the separate Google Earth tool has just gone on sale.

Meanwhile, a new satellite receiver will make it harder for thieves to steal cars and sat-navs. The Ocellus S100 has an aerial so sensitive that it can be hidden beneath seats, in gloveboxes or even under the chassis. UK firm Qinetiq has perfected the receiver so that it doesn't need to see the sky to work. Its best role is in vehicle tracking, but it can be used for sat-nav by adding a screen, which can be hidden under a cover.