Clever new sat-nav

Now here’s point and go sat-nav

Check out the clever new sat-nav gadget that diehard map fans should take note of. Kenwood has devised a pen-based system which bridges the gap between traditional paper road charts and interactive GPS units.

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Hands on: Instead of inputting an address on screen, Kenwood’s new sat-nav uses a special pen and maps to plan route.

By Mat Watson

09th December 2007

By placing a special pen over the point you want to travel to, turn-by-turn driving instructions and important information on your destination are transmitted via Bluetooth to the accompanying LCD monitor. This then guides you like any normal sat-nav.

You can even circle an area and the system will list the points of interest within that zone. Special maps are required for the technology to work – and Kenwood claims these look just like normal ones. They incorporate tiny printed dots which the pen reads to know where it’s being pointed. The system will be available in two years. But if you can’t wait that long, Volvo has teamed up with Garmin to produce a hybrid sat-nav, combining the function of a built-in set-up with the flexibility of a portable unit.

It features a 4.3-inch colour touchscreen, along with full UK and European mapping, while an MP3 player is included, too. The kit is an option on all new Volvos, priced around £500.