Press Releases
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Melbourne, November, 2010 return to top

Honda vehicles to include live traffic information from SUNA

Intelematics Australia, developers of SUNA Traffic Channel, have been chosen as the preferred traffic provider by Honda Australia, which will see SUNA Live Traffic Updates included as a standard feature in Honda's in-car satellite navigation systems commencing with the all-new Honda Insight VTi-L hybrid.

SUNA Traffic Channel is Australia's first digital traffic information service that broadcasts detailed information on traffic congestion and other road conditions to compatible in-car satellite navigation devices.

Honda Insight VTi-L owners will be able to access up-to-the-minute traffic information such as accidents, road closures, traffic congestion, major road works and special events, helping them navigate an easier, more efficient and stress-free drive.

Stephen Collins, General Manager Sales & Marketing, Honda Australia said, "This is the first time our in-car satellite navigation systems have included live traffic information, and we see great value in being able to offer this service to our customers. With Honda's focus on reducing fuel consumption and maximising efficiency, this technology is a fantastic match to our new Honda Insight VTi-L."

Adam Game, Chief Executive Officer, Intelematics Australia added, "Our partnership with Honda further extends SUNA's presence in the in-car satellite navigation market, which has grown dramatically in 2010."

SUNA Traffic Channel is currently available in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth. The SUNA service monitors traffic conditions using tens of thousands of traffic sensors supplemented with other sources including thousands of probe vehicles, freeway sensors, tow truck allocations, traffic cameras as well as roadwork and special events information. All of this information is validated by a team of traffic operators and then sent to the in-car navigation device.

SUNA is a standard feature on Honda's satellite navigation system in the Insight VTi-L with other models to follow.

Motorists can find out more information on SUNA by visiting: www.sunatraffic.com.au

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Media queries to:
Blackie McDonald

02 8907 4900

Alicia Aldini or intelematics@bmcd.com.au

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Melbourne, August, 2010 return to top

Melbourne's M1 freeway upgrade and SUNA Traffic Channel win ITS Australia Awards

The inaugural National ITS Australia Award was presented to the joint project sponsors of Melbourne's M1 freeway upgrade - Transurban Limited and VicRoads.

The Victorian Government Road Transport Innovation Prize was awarded to Intelematics Australia Pty Ltd for its SUNA Traffic Channel information system.

ITS Australia also recognised ITS technology researcher and developer Dr Max Lay with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

President Dr Norm Pidgeon said ITS Australia initiated the awards program to recognise the contribution made by intelligent transport systems (ITS) to creating a safer, greener, less congested and more efficient national transport system.

"The ITS Australia Board of Directors congratulates the 2010 winners," said Norm Pidgeon. "The judging panel was extremely impressed with the calibre of nominations for both the National and Victorian Awards.

"The evaluations were based on the degree to which the nominated projects were innovative, well developed, transferable, sustainable, interoperable and had a positive impact on both the transport task and the environment," he said.

National ITS Australia Award joint winners

The $10,000 National ITS Australia Award recognises pioneering Australian innovation in ITS products and services that encompass at least one of the themes of safety, mobility or the environment. Melbourne's M1 upgrade project featured strongly in the suite of nominations, with four separate submissions relating to this project.

The National ITS Australia Award was presented to joint project sponsors VicRoads and Transurban Limited by Gino Dompietro, ITS Group Manager for Awards sponsor Sinclair Knight Merz. "Their applications stressed the collaborative team effort required and were submitted in conjunction with their ITS suppliers, Transmax and Visionstream, whose strong contributions were noted as critical components of success," said Gino Dompietro.

The $1.38 billion upgrade to the 75 kilometre M1 freeway linking the Monash Freeway, The CityLink Tollway and the West Gate Freeway and Bridge carries about 160,000 vehicles a day and key elements of the upgrade included:

  • Coordinated Freeway Ramp Signals regulating traffic entering the freeway.
  • Electronic Lane Use Management Signs incorporating variable speed limit displays.
  • En-route Driver Information Signs providing advance notice of traffic conditions and incidents.
  • An Integrated Control System using STREAMS to manage the M1 Freeway from the central Traffic Management Centre.
  • A dedicated communications system.

A preliminary study on completed works revealed significant capacity and safety improvements, and exceeded expectations with: Accident reductions exceeding expectations with:

  • Accident reductions exceeding 30%.
  • Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 40 tonnes a day.
  • Saving of 16,500 litres of fuel a day.
  • Peak travel time reductions of up to 40%.
  • Increased travel speeds from 79 to 87 km/h during AM peak and 50 to 85 km/h during PM peak.
  • Average peak flows increased by more than 10%, with a reduction of the PM peak from four hours to less than two hours.
  • A projected return of about $15 billion in community savings.

Receiving the joint award on behalf of VicRoads, M1 Upgrade Project Director John Cunningham said: "This award is fantastic recognition for the achievements of VicRoads staff and our principal contractors, Transmax and Visionstream. Every aspect of this system had to be developed from the ground up. It has given us the ability to dynamically control traffic flows on the freeway to maximise throughput and better manage incidents."

Representing Transurban, City Link General Manager Danny Elia said: "CityLink is honoured to accept this award and pleased with this recognition of the Freeway Management System developed for the M1 upgrade. With so many projects competing for funds, the use of smart transport systems enables us to deliver effective outcomes at less cost."

Upon receiving their shares of the cash prize, both VicRoads and Transurban immediately returned their cheques to ITS Australia as seed funding for a future professional development program for young Australian ITS developers or researchers.

Victorian Government Road Transport Innovation Prize

Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas presented the $10,000 Victorian Government Road Transport Innovation Prize to Intelematics Australia Chief Executive Officer Adam Game for its SUNA Traffic Channel. This Prize rewards the individual, organisation or road-controlling authority that has most benefited the Victorian community with an ITS initiative.

Presenting the Victorian Government Prize, Minister Pallas said: "Victoria has long been at the forefront of using ITS solutions to address transport challenges - a leader in capturing and using real-time traffic management data to move more people and more freight, more efficiently, quickly and safely. We commend Intelematics Australia for their state-of-the-art SUNA Traffic Channel technology and wish them well in their endeavours to expand it to other states and overseas."

Norm Pidgeon said the judging panel was impressed with SUNA Traffic Channel's well executed delivery of real- time traffic information to motorists, drawing on both traffic light control information and GPS probe data. "This is a unique combination and provides services in various cities sculpted to the available data sources. It is excellent to see a company with its base in Victoria, now fully owned by the RACV, make such headway in world- leading solution delivery," he said.

After receiving the award, Intelematics Australia Chief Executive Officer Adam Game said: "We are delighted to be recognised by the ITS industry and the Victorian Government for SUNA Traffic Channel, which has revolutionised the delivery of traffic information to Australian motorists. We are continually looking to enhance the service to provide motorists and transport operators with the information they need to optimise routes and minimise delays."

Life time Achievement Award

Australian pioneer ITS researcher, project implementer and passionate advocate Dr Max Lay was recognised for his career-long commitment to the industry with ITS Australia's first Lifetime Achievement Award. When presenting the award, ITS Director Gino Dompietro said: "Max Lay was a founder of the original Australian ITS Society, helped establish ITS Australia and has been recognised internationally for his significant contributions to ITS technologies. In future this award will be known as the Dr Max Lay Prize."

Max Lay is currently Chairman of Intelematics Australia and a Director of ConnectEast. He has held many senior positions, including Executive Director of ARRB (formerly Australian Road Research Board); President of the Australian Automobile Association; Director, Deputy Chair and President of the RACV; and Principal, Sinclair Knight Merz; and has published 700 papers and high profile books.

Future Awards

Entries for the 2010 Awards represented a wide range of road management, driver information, driver safety, public transport, transport compliance and tolling applications. The judging panel represented a rich history of intelligent transport system development and delivery over the last 20 years. Chaired by Norm Pidgeon, the panel included Max Lay, Ken Ogden, Prof Geoffrey Rose, Brian Negus, John Gardiner and Lauchlan McIntosh.

"Response to the inaugural ITS Australia Awards from industry and government has been overwhelming," said Norm Pidgeon "We will further develop this program and plan future competitions to reward our members' professionalism and to promote their skills, experience and products to the rapidly growing global market for ITS technologies."

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Media queries to:
Blackie McDonald

02 8907 4900

Rachel Love 0421 481 269 or rachel.love@bmcd.com.au

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Melbourne, August, 2010 return to top

SUNA devices set to reach 3.5 million by end of financial year

Intelematics Australia, the company behind the SUNA Traffic Channel service, predicts sales of devices displaying SUNA-traffic will reach over 3.5 million by the end of the current financial year.

More than 800,000 SUNA-enabled devices have been sold since the service was launched in Melbourne in 2007.

SUNA is Australia's first digital traffic information service that broadcasts detailed information on traffic congestion and other road conditions directly to compatible GPS devices and in-vehicle satellite navigation systems.

Adam Game, Chief Executive Officer, Intelematics Australia said the rapid growth SUNA is experiencing comes off the back of some significant partnerships and service enhancements.

"Real-time traffic updates from SUNA have already been adopted by the majority of the leading GPS device manufacturers. Aside from the high-volume PND market, we have also developed significant partnerships within the in-car satellite navigation space in the past 12 months. We now supply to several of Australia's leading car manufacturers such as Ford, Nissan and Toyota as well as aftermarket in-car navigation brands like Pioneer, Eclipse and Alpine."

Australia has a very high standard attachment rate for traffic on PNDs compared with Europe and the US but to date, a lower attachment rate for embedded in-car navigation, compounded by Australia's low rate for factory fit navigation. However, Mr. Game expects the majority of new vehicles in Australia will be fitted with navigation as standard within the next two to three years.

"We believe the in-car satellite navigation market will experience big growth off a relatively small base in the coming years as new vehicle models are released with much more attractively priced navigation options. SUNA will be standard on many of these new models."

Another driving force behind SUNA's domination is its expansion into other platforms including ninemsn, Google Maps, Telstra's T-Hub, Nokia Smartphones and iPhone apps like Sygic's Mobile Maps and Aura Drive.

"Accessing traffic information before and, more importantly, during a journey is becoming a more common practice, and the advancements of Smartphone navigation technology has definitely been a major contributing factor to this upward trend."

SUNA Traffic Channel is currently available in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth, and Mr. Game said the company is constantly evaluating market demands and opportunities to improve the service.

"In the next few months we will be focused on delivering service quality improvements throughout current SUNA-active States and Territories. Once we reach the end of that phase, we will once again look to what the market is calling for with both national highway coverage and remaining urban centres being in our sights," Mr. Game said.

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Media queries to:
Blackie McDonald

02 8907 4900

Rachel Love 0421 481 269 or rachel.love@bmcd.com.au

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Melbourne, August, 2010 return to top

Motorists in Adelaide and Perth to avoid severe delays with real-time traffic updates from SUNA

Motorists in Adelaide and Perth now have access to up-to-the-minute traffic information with SUNA Traffic Channel extending its current service to include 24/7 automated traffic monitoring.

SUNA Traffic Channel developed by Intelematics Australia, broadcasts detailed information on traffic incidents and other road conditions directly to compatible GPS devices and in-car satellite navigation systems, in real-time.

The enhancement to the existing service will deliver motorists more extensive road coverage and higher traffic data precision by utilising thousands of traffic sensors embedded in the road pavement to monitor local traffic conditions. The information collected by these sensors will now also be supplemented with speed data collected from hundreds of probe vehicles including taxis, road service vehicles, courier vans, coaches and GPS-equipped private vehicles. All this information is then validated by a team of traffic experts.

Adam Game, Chief Executive Officer, Intelematics Australia, said,"The upgrade to SUNA's traffic monitoring infrastructure will ensure that motorists in Adelaide and Perth receive the most up-to-date traffic information, helping them steer clear of any unexpected delays while out on the road. This enhanced service will automate the monitoring of traffic conditions on local metropolitan roads making it a useful tool for motorists who are tired on getting stuck in the ever-rising levels of traffic congestion."

"We have been working closely with the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure in South Australia and Main Roads Western Australia to put an infrastructure in place that supports the increasing demand for real-time traffic information locally. We believe our close alignment with the respective State road authorities has enabled us to develop specific processes and technology that has further enhanced the capabilities of the SUNA service in each city."

SUNA currently monitors approximately 2,000 kilometres of road in each city using a range of automated and other data sources to gather up-to-date information on road incidents such as accidents, traffic congestion, road closures, major road works and special events. All of this information is validated by a team of traffic operators and then sent immediately to compatible personal navigation devices and satellite navigation systems.

The SUNA service is currently available in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra

Compatible navigation based devices may be purchased with the SUNA service "in the box", or consumers can purchase an additional piece of hardware such as a TMC Cradle or Antenna. In either case the cost of the SUNA service is included and there are no ongoing fees. However some Smartphone applications can access SUNA as an optional 12 month subscription Compatible devices will be sold through the major consumer electronics retailers and vehicle retailers and are available now.

The TMC Forum was established under the auspices of the European Commission to develop standards for digital traffic information, resulting in the widespread adoption of the RDS-TMC standard as adopted by nearly all automotive and GPS brands.

Motorists can find out more information on SUNA by visiting: www.sunatraffic.com.au

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Media queries to:
Blackie McDonald

02 8907 4900

Rachel Love 0421 481 269 or rachel.love@bmcd.com.au

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Melbourne, June, 2010 return to top

Intelematics Australia appoints new General Manager, Operations

Intelematics Australia, the company behind the SUNA Traffic Channel service, has announced the appointment of Danny Woolard as its new General Manager, Operations

Danny joins Intelematics Australia with 20-plus years experience in the traffic and traveller information sector in the Australian and UK markets, where he is recognised as a pioneer in the establishment and international standardisation of digital traffic information services.

Announcing the new appointment, Adam Game, Chief Executive Officer, Intelematics Australia, said, "Danny brings a wealth of knowledge to the company and his appointment will play a critical role in delivering an improved end-user experience, and driving new business development opportunities".

Danny most recently held the position of General Manager, Business Development, for traffic content aggregator, Sentinel Content. Prior to that role he was part of the senior management team at ITIS Holdings in the UK following the sale of the TMC and data broadcast activity of his company, Communications & Measurement Technologies (C&MT), to ITIS in 2000.

Between 2003 and 2008 Danny served as Chairman of the TMC Forum, and its successor the Traveller Information Services Association (TISA), the key industry standards bodies in the traffic and traveller information systems sector.

Danny will be based at the company's headquarters in Melbourne.

About TMC Forum

The TMC Forum was established under the auspices of the European Commission to develop standards for digital traffic information, resulting in the widespread adoption of the RDS-TMC standard as adopted by nearly all automotive and GPS brands.

About TISA

TISA, which is the successor to the TMC forum, now also drives the standardisation role for traffic information standards over digital radio and other high bandwidth bearers.

About ITIS Holdings

ITIS Holdings operates the iTMC service, the UK's leading RDS-TMC traffic service.


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Melbourne, June, 2010 return to top

Predicting traffic congestion has never been so easy

Intelematics Australia launches new service that helps predict local traffic patterns

Intelematics Australia has developed one of the country's largest traffic databases to help local motorists and planners better predict travel times.

The new service, SUNA Predictive, provides an extensive database of real-world travel times across the Australian main road network. So far, more than one billion speed measurements have been captured using probe vehicles and fixed road sensors ensuring the new service reflects actual travel times rather than theoretical predictions based on road class or speed limits.

Systems incorporating SUNA Predictive will have visibility of speed profiles for each main road segment, based on time of day and day of week. By leveraging this knowledge, better route advice and greatly improved arrival time estimation will now be possible.

It is common sense that it takes longer to drive to the airport in peak hour rather than late at night, however most navigation and route planning applications continue to apply the same travel time estimations regardless of the time of departure. By providing insight into real-world conditions, SUNA Predictive will significantly improve the accuracy of GPS navigation calculations, as well as logistics and scheduling applications. Road management agencies may also use the database in capacity planning and road management applications.

SUNA Predictive has been developed by leveraging traffic information used or generated by SUNA Traffic Channel, a real-time traffic service that has been broadcasting detailed information on traffic congestion and other road conditions directly to compatible GPS navigation devices since 2007.

Adam Game, Chief Executive Officer, Intelematics Australia, said the company's understanding of metropolitan traffic flow is growing each day.

"Travel times are impacted by a range of factors including accidents, roadwork, adverse weather, and routine congestion patterns which means the new SUNA Predictive service is the perfect complement to SUNA Traffic Channel. By utilising the two services, we are now able to provide extensive insight into what is happening on the roads right now and what we may expect to happen in the future."

SUNA Predictive leverages a sophisticated statistical approach, which has been developed by Intelematics Australia, to generate the best approximation of typical travel times and average travel speeds on each road segment, taking in to account both delays at traffic lights, and the actual speed of vehicle movements. The database provides average travel times on each road within the SUNA Predictive database at 15-minute intervals for each day of the week.

Game said, "We have collected sufficient data to gain an understanding of Australian traffic patterns that up until now has been difficult to achieve. The basic profiles can be extended to further differentiate based on factors, such as holiday periods or even weather conditions."

Using SUNA Predictive navigation systems can better estimate the time a journey will take, as well as suggesting the quickest route taking normal traffic conditions into account. Traffic planners, local government, fleet operators, businesses and anyone impacted by traffic will be able to use SUNA Predictive to better understand the underlying traffic patterns that impact us on a daily basis.

SUNA Predictive is currently available and more information is available by contacting Intelematics Australia. Contact details at www.intelematics.com.au


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Media queries to:
Blackie McDonald

02 8907 4900

Rachel Love 0421 481 269 or rachel.love@bmcd.com.au

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Melbourne, May, 2010 return to top

ninemsn helps motorists beat the traffic blues with SUNA

Intelematics Australia has teamed up with ninemsn to deliver real-time traffic incident reports on metropolitan roads across Australia's east coast.

The new service will allow motorists to check current road conditions on ninemsn before leaving home or the office, helping drivers determine the best time to leave and route for their journey.

The traffic reports overlay real time traffic information from the SUNA Traffic Channel onto maps provided by Microsoft's Bing search engine. SUNA Traffic Channel is Australia's leading traffic service, providing detailed warnings about accidents, traffic congestion, road closures and road works.

Adam Game, Chief Executive Officer, Intelematics Australia, said, "ninemsn is the first choice for up-to-date information for millions of Australians and we are delighted to be bringing this traffic service to them. The ninemsn audience will now be able to easily access traffic information which will help them make an informed decision when it comes to selecting the best way to get to their destination."

Alex Parsons, Director of Marketing and MSN Products, ninemsn said, "This new service will provide our users with the most up-to-date and accurate traffic information currently available in Australia. Our audience will now be able to check current traffic conditions before they hit the road helping them steer clear of any unexpected traffic delays."

The live traffic information provided to ninemsn via the SUNA Traffic Channel service is calculated using a sophisticated traffic model that logs a range of delays on the road. The SUNA service evaluates traffic information from a wide range of sources including in-road sensors, probe vehicles and cameras located throughout covered cities. In particular, SUNA Traffic Channel leverages real-time data extracted from the traffic light control infrastructures in each state.

The traffic data delivered by SUNA Traffic Channel is overlaid on the ninemsn website using the Bing Maps API. The data that is used for this service is also utilised by Intelematics Australia to deliver the country's most reliable real-time traffic information service to leading GPS and in-car navigation devices.

The ninemsn traffic service is available in Australia now and can be viewed at http://ninemsn.com.au


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Melbourne, April, 2010 return to top

SUNA shifts up a gear

Intelematics will leverage thousands of probe vehicles across Australia to monitor traffic flow in a major enhancement of its SUNA traffic service.

The enhanced service, coined SUNA Phase 2, will deliver more detailed road coverage and higher precision than is possible through its current traffic model. It will feature a range of improved technologies, including the integration of speed data collected from thousands of vehicles including taxis, road service vehicles, courier vans, coaches and GPS-equipped private vehicles.

This new infrastructure is expected to generate approximately one hundred million instantaneous speed measurements each month.

Adam Game, Chief Executive Officer, Intelematics Australia, said the service upgrade will go live in the third quarter of 2010 at no additional cost to existing SUNA Traffic Channel customers.

"SUNA Phase 2 will deliver tangible improvements to the accuracy and level of coverage currently provided to motorists. Drivers will have greater understanding and control of the road conditions around them, delivering a safer and more enjoyable motoring experience.

"SUNA Traffic Channel provides a real-time traffic service that enhances the driving experience of Australian motorists by helping them understand, anticipate and respond to changes in traffic flow and road conditions. Today, our commitment to motorists remains unchanged, and with SUNA now available to more than 95 per cent of the Australian main metropolitan population, we believe we are now in the best position to deliver the next phase of the service."

Commenting on the announcement made today by Intelematics Australia, Tim Pallas MP, Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports, said, "During the three years since the launch of the service, SUNA Traffic Channel has continued to grow and help place Victoria at the forefront of technology and motoring development.

"Real-time traffic information services such as SUNA are an important part of the transport mix as they help drivers make informed decisions while on the road, which ultimately improves overall safety and alleviates unnecessary frustrations."

The new fleet of probe vehicles will complement the technology already employed by Intelematics to monitor congestion levels, which leverages sensor infrastructure associated with traffic light control systems and freeway and toll-way management systems. By agreement with the various state authorities and private road managers, Intelematics extracts data from these systems to monitor congestion levels across metropolitan regions.

GPS probe vehicles, sometimes referred to as 'floating vehicles', measure their location, bearing and speed at regular intervals and then upload this information to servers using a cellular data connection. GPS data provides a highly accurate measure of travel times that provides reliable information even in dense urban road networks where less precise positioning techniques break down.

Fusing the data generated by the probe vehicles and the road sensors provides the opportunity to generate quality and coverage levels that cannot be achieved through a single technology. Integrating the data enables the automation of congestion monitoring across freeways lacking speed monitoring infrastructure and 24/7 congestion monitoring on less trafficked arterial roads even when floating vehicle data is sparse.

SUNA Phase 2 is the result of a substantial investment in research and development by Intelematics Australia, which has been made possible through the support of its shareholder, Royal Automotive Club of Victoria (RACV).

SUNA Traffic Channel is currently available on all the leading GPS navigation brands penetrating more than 30 per cent of monthly sales and is well on the way to adoption as a standard automotive feature with brands including Nissan and Ford having both adopted the services. It is also widely available on smartphones.

SUNA is currently available in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, monitoring more than 12,500 kilometres of roads in major metropolitan areas.

Intelematics Australia is currently conducting thorough testing of SUNA Phase 2 across Melbourne and Sydney.

Motorists can find out more information on SUNA by visiting: www.sunatraffic.com.au


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To find out more about the Brumby Government's Intelligent Transport Systems cluster, visit
http://www.mmv.vic.gov.au/IntelligentTransportSystems



Media contact:
Cameron Scott
Phone: 0439 333 167 or 9651 5799
www.vic.gov.au


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Melbourne, January, 2010 return to top

Nissan X-TRAIL, Patrol owners avoid traffic with real-time information from SUNA - January 20, 2010

Nissan joins forces with SUNA to deliver its customers next-generation GPS technology

Nissan X-TRAIL Ti and TL, and Nissan Patrol Ti vehicle owners will now be able to tackle heavy traffic conditions with ease, thanks to the inclusion of SUNA Traffic Channel services provided by Intelematics Australia.

Nissan is the first vehicle importer in the Australian automotive industry to offer its customers SUNA Traffic Channel as a standard feature on certain models. The X-TRAIL Ti and TL, and Patrol Ti models equipped with satellite navigation will include a lifetime subscription to the SUNA service. SUNA is Australia's first digital traffic information service that broadcasts detailed information on traffic congestion and other road conditions directly to compatible portable and in-vehicle GPS navigation devices.

Renowned as an innovator, Nissan will now connect X-TRAIL and Patrol customers with up-to-the-minute information on traffic incidents such as accidents, road closures, traffic congestion, major road works and special events, helping them escape city congestion and hit the open road sooner.

Dan Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, Nissan Australia said, "We are extremely pleased to be able to provide the SUNA service to our customers. We are constantly looking for new ways to inject more value into our vehicles and believe integrating real-time traffic information into our GPS technology will dramatically improve our customers' driving experience."

Commenting on the relationship, Adam Game, Chief Executive Officer, Intelematics Australia said, "We are looking forward to working with Nissan to deliver its X-TRAIL Ti and TL, and Patrol Ti customers the very latest in convenient GPS features. This new alliance will further extend Intelematics' partnership network in the automotive industry and help drive the SUNA brand in the in-vehicle navigation market."

SUNA Traffic Channel is currently available in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth. The SUNA service monitors traffic conditions using tens of thousands of traffic sensors supplemented with other sources including probe vehicles, freeway sensors, tow truck allocations, traffic cameras as well as roadwork and special events information. All of this information is validated by a team of traffic operators and then sent to the personal navigation device.


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Melbourne, December, 2009 return to top

NAVIGON adds SUNA to new navigation device - December 08, 2009

Intelematics Australia today announced that real-time traffic updates will now be available on the NAVIGON 6300 navigation device.

SUNA Traffic Channel is Australia's first digital traffic information service which broadcasts up-to-the-minute information on traffic incidents such as accidents, traffic congestion, road closures, major road works and special events directly to compatible GPS navigation systems. NAVIGON is Europe's fastest growing GPS maker and just launched a new line of personal navigation devices (PNDs) in the Australian market.

Commenting on the new partnership, Gerhard Mayr, vice-president worldwide mobile phone business & new markets, NAVIGON AG said, "NAVIGON is currently at the cutting edge of the local navigation market and is committed to providing its customers with the latest features in GPS technology. Aligning ourselves with Intelematics Australia enables us to deliver on this commitment and provide next generation GPS devices that not only feature 3D imaging and voice commands, but also incorporate real-time traffic information that can help our customers get to their destination sooner."

Adam Game, chief executive officer, Intelematics Australia said, "This is an exciting new partnership for Intelematics Australia. NAVIGON is a leading provider of GPS products and as the tenth brand to sign up for SUNA services, it will be joining a strong line up of leading GPS navigation companies already supporting the SUNA Traffic Channel service here in Australia."

The SUNA service was launched in Perth, Adelaide and Canberra in July of this year, this followed the successive launches of the service in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast during the past two years.

The service monitors traffic conditions using tens of thousands of road traffic sensors supplemented with other sources including probe vehicles, freeway sensors, tow truck allocations, roadwork information, special events and expert camera observers on major roads.

Game said Intelematics would continue to develop the SUNA service, increasing data quality as well as introducing new service features. Recent initiatives include surveying taxi drivers and extending street camera coverage to provide more accurate traffic flow estimates.

Currently available exclusively in Harvey Norman stores, the NAVIGON 6300 is traffic ready - straight out of the box and costs $499. There are no ongoing data charges and the service is available for the lifetime of the device. The NAVIGON 6300 is packed with additional premium features such as the latest 3D technology from the German GPS maker to show the environment in 3D as well as a voice command function.


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Melbourne, September, 2009 return to top

Google Maps to use SUNA real-time traffic service - September 15, 2009

Intelematics Australia will provide current traffic information from its SUNA Traffic Channel service to Google for its new feature, traffic information on Google Maps, announced today.

SUNA will deliver Google Maps current information on traffic congestion levels on Australia's east coast roads.

Adam Game, Chief Executive Officer, Intelematics Australia said the partnership with Google caps off a stellar year for SUNA and the company.

"We are pleased to be working with Google Maps to deliver Australian motorists one of the world's most in-depth urban traffic services. This new feature on Google Maps adds to a growing number of SUNA-supported applications and products, making it one of the most used sources of real-time traffic information in the country."

"Making congestion information accessible will help Google Maps' users to check likely travel times on the web before they head out on the road helping them avoid unexpected delays and, where feasible, arrive at their destination sooner. We see this as highly complimentary to other ways of accessing SUNA content, such as car navigation systems." said Game.

The SUNA service adopted by Google Maps allows for congestion information to be viewed for the first time for some regional areas, in addition to the state capitals on the Eastern Australian seaboard.

"We developed a traffic data feed for the Google Maps platform that enables us to report congestion levels in major regional centres. This means that in addition to covering Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Google Maps can now incorporate information on congestion levels in Wollongong, the Central Coast, Geelong and the Sunshine Coast," said Game.

SUNA evaluates traffic information from a wide range of sources including in-road sensors and cameras and throughout covered cities. In particular, SUNA leverages realtime data extracted from the traffic light control infrastructure in each state.

The live traffic information provided to Google Maps via the SUNA service is calculated using a sophisticated traffic model that determines average delay for each road segment. The model includes smoothing and other statistical techniques to ensure that only persistent congestion, likely to impact many motorists, is factored in to the data feed. Short-lived transitory delays are filtered out where possible.

The information provided to Google Maps is one of the SUNA Data Services - a web based application programming interface (API), supplying traffic and motorist related data feeds. Part of this feed is the congestion information that Google Maps will use to updated road traffic conditions every few minutes.

The Google Maps traffic service is available in Australia from today by visiting http://maps.google.com.au.


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Melbourne, July, 2009 return to top

Perth beats the traffic with new SUNA service - July 30, 2009

Local motorists will now be able to avoid unnecessary traffic delays with the launch of Australia's premier traffic information service in Perth.

SUNA Traffic Channel, developed by Intelematics Australia, broadcasts detailed information on traffic congestion and other road conditions directly to compatible GPS navigation systems.

The number of vehicles on Western Australian roads has increased by more than 300,0001 in the past six years causing increased congestion levels in and around the city.

According to Adam Game, Chief Executive Officer, Intelematics Australia, the SUNA service will alleviate traffic frustrations by helping motorists in Perth make informed decisions while out on the roads.

"The SUNA service provides motorists with useful street smart knowledge that will enable them to navigate around traffic congestion and road incidents with ease. It keeps motorists constantly updated on changing road conditions, even alerting them to the current congestion levels on traffic hot spots such as the Kwinana and Mitchell Freeways."

Intelematics Australia has been gradually rolling out the SUNA service across Australia and it is now available in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth with plans to launch the service in Canberra next month.

"SUNA has proven extremely successful in other markets and we are pleased to be launching the service in Perth today," said Mr. Game. "We now have the infrastructure in place to support the increased demand for real-time traffic information locally and are committed to developing specific processes and technology that will further enhance the sensitivity of the service."

SUNA currently monitors upwards of 2010 kilometres of road in Perth using a range of independent data sources to gather up-to-date information on road incidents such as accidents, traffic congestion, road closures, major road works and special events. All of this information is validated by a team of traffic operators and then sent to your personal navigation device.

Compatible navigation devices may be purchased with the SUNA service "in the box", or consumers can purchase an additional piece of hardware such as a TMC Cradle or Antenna. In either case the cost of the SUNA service is included and there are no ongoing fees. Compatible devices will be sold through the major consumer electronics retailers and vehicle retailers and are available now.

1 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008. Motor Vehicle Census March 2008. [Online] Available at: http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au [Accessed 16 July 2009].


-ends-
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Melbourne, July, 2009 return to top

Adelaide beats the traffic with new SUNA service - July 28, 2009

Local motorists will now be able to avoid unnecessary delays with the launch of Australia's premier traffic information service in Adelaide.

SUNA Traffic Channel developed by Intelematics Australia, broadcasts detailed information on traffic incidents and other road conditions directly to compatible GPS navigation systems.

The number of vehicles on South Australian roads has increased by more than 100,0001 in the past six years causing increased congestion levels in and around the city.

According to Adam Game, Chief Executive Officer, Intelematics Australia, the SUNA service will alleviate traffic frustrations by helping Adelaide motorists make informed decisions while out on the roads.

"The SUNA service provides motorists with useful street smart knowledge that will enable them to navigate around road incidents and major congestion with ease. It keeps motorists constantly updated on changing road conditions, even alerting them to the congestion levels on the main roads heading in to the city."

Intelematics Australia has been gradually rolling out the SUNA service across Australia and it is now available in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Adelaide with plans to launch the service in Perth later this week.

"SUNA has proven extremely successful in other markets and we are pleased to be launching the service in Adelaide today," said Mr. Game. "We now have the infrastructure in place to support the increased demand for real-time traffic information locally and are committed to developing specific processes and technology that will further enhance the sensitivity of the service."

SUNA currently monitors approximately 1900 kilometres of road in Adelaide using a range of independent data sources to gather up-to-date information on road incidents such as accidents, traffic congestion, road closures, major road works and special events. All of this information is validated by a team of traffic operators and then sent to your personal navigation device.

Compatible navigation devices may be purchased with the SUNA service "in the box", or consumers can purchase an additional piece of hardware such as a TMC Cradle or Antenna. In either case the cost of the SUNA service is included and there are no ongoing fees. Compatible devices will be sold through the major consumer electronics retailers and vehicle retailers and are available now.

1 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008. Motor Vehicle Census March 2008. [Online] Available at: http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au [Accessed 16 July 2009].


-ends-
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Melbourne, May, 2009 return to top

Real-time traffic service hits the Gold Coast

Gold Coast motorists can now avoid unnecessary traffic congestion with the extension of Australia's premier real-time traffic information service.

SUNA, developed by Intelematics Australia, broadcasts detailed information on traffic congestion and other road conditions directly to compatible GPS navigation systems, in real-time.

The SUNA service's detailed congestion monitoring is made possible through an interface to the Queensland Government's advanced traffic light control systems. Data from around 1,400 traffic sensor locations as well as traffic cameras and other data enables the SUNA service to continually monitor congestion levels on the Gold Coast.

Adam Game, Chief Executive Officer, Intelematics Australia, said Gold Coast motorists who have to drive to Brisbane each day for work as well as the local residents who are forced to navigate around congested streets during high volume visitor periods will find the service particularly useful.

"In a growth corridor such as the Gold Coast, traffic congestion is inevitable with the increasing road usage combined with the disruption associated with investment in infrastructure upgrades.

The combination of a major metropolitan community with seasonal tourism influxes such as the thousands of people that flock to the Gold Coast each year to attend popular events such as the Indy 300 and Schoolies Week, leaves motorists to battle high traffic levels and changed road conditions such as street closures.

The SUNA service helps motorists avoid unexpected delays during these periods as well as on a day-to-day basis by providing reliable and up-to-date traffic information to their GPS systems. Drivers will be better informed, find commuting less frustrating and may even arrive at their destination sooner," said Game.

Commenting on the launch of the traffic service, Craig Wallace MP, Queensland Minister for Roads, said, "The launch of the SUNA service across the Gold Coast further proves the Queensland Government's commitment to building a road network that benefits all motorists. Real-time information services such as this can help drivers make informed decisions while on the road, improving safety and alleviating frustrations. The promotion of advanced transport technologies such as SUNA's digital traffic advisory service is a valid part of a modern congestion management strategy.

"SUNA will not only be a tool for local motorists but also for the thousands of tourists that visit the Gold Coast each year."

The Gold Coast service will complement SUNA's Brisbane service, providing motorists seamless congestion coverage from the northern outskirts of Brisbane to the NSW border on their compatible GPS systems. This means the service will monitor more than 2,200 kilometres of roads in South-East Queensland for accidents, congestion and other hazardous conditions and on a typical day, will broadcast hundreds of warnings to motorists with SUNA.

The SUNA service has been providing Brisbane motorists regional traffic updates and information on Gold Coast road conditions for some time. With the recent system upgrade which included the commissioning of an additional transmitter, Gold Coast motorists will also be able to receive traffic alerts from the SUNA service.

Currently SUNA is available in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane with plans to launch the service in Perth, Adelaide and Canberra later this year.

Compatible navigation devices may be purchased with the SUNA service "in the box", or consumers can purchase an additional piece of hardware such as a TMC Cradle or Antenna. In either case the cost of the SUNA service is included and there are no ongoing fees.


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Melbourne, April, 2009 return to top

SUNA joins forces with ECLIPSE to deliver real-time traffic information to Australian motorists

Intelematics Australia has further extended its partnership network with the announcement that SUNA is now available on an exclusive range of ECLIPSE in-car GPS navigation systems.

SUNA is Australia's first digital traffic information service which broadcasts detailed information on traffic congestion and other road conditions directly to motorists GPS devices, in real-time.

The new AVN726EA and the AVN4400 models will both offer SUNA to help motorists avoid unnecessary delays and ensure a stress free driving experience for Eclipse customers.

Commenting on the new partnership, Damien Jaffe, ECLIPSE Manager, Fujitsu Ten Australia, said, "Partnering with Intelematics Australia was a logical next step for us to ensure we were delivering maximum product functionality to our customers. The real-time information provided by the SUNA service is the perfect complement to Eclipse's navigation capabilities."

Adam Game, Chief Executive Office, Intelematics Australia said the new alliance would build on the company's already well established partner network in the GPS navigation industry and help drive the SUNA brand in to the high-end in-car navigation market.

"We are delighted to be joining forces with ECLIPSE to provide real-time traffic information to their customers. The SUNA service has been very well received by the local navigation industry and this new partnership enables us to deliver the service to a wider range of motorists."

SUNA is currently available in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane with plans to offer the service in other capital cities including Perth, Adelaide and Canberra later this year.

SUNA's unique infrastructure provides an unmatched depth of coverage in major metropolitan areas. SUNA's proprietary systems monitor traffic conditions using the tens of thousands of traffic sensors driving modern traffic lights, supplemented with other sources including probe vehicles, freeway sensors, tow truck allocations, roadwork information, special events and expert camera observers.

The AVN726EA & AVN4400 are scheduled to go on sale in April 2009. RRP is not available at this time.


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Melbourne, March, 2008 return to top

Smart traffic intelligence to get travellers there SUNA

Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Theo Theophanous today opened
Intelematics Australia's new Melbourne head office and launched the national rollout of its worldfirst
service, Suna Traffic Channel.

"For the last couple of months, Melbourne commuters have been able to take advantage of
Suna Traffic Channel through GPS systems, gaining real-time traffic information on major
thoroughfares and urban streets 24-hours a day", Mr Theophanous said.

"By using data collected from Australia's traffic light control systems and other sources, Suna
Traffic Channel is able to determine areas of congestion and provide alternative routes.

"It's great to see Victoria at the cutting edge of traffic information services that will make life
easier for everyone on the road, and creating more ICT jobs in the process."

Intelematics Australia has doubled its workforce over the past year and is expected to add
another 10 jobs over the next 12 months.

"I am pleased to announce this great service we enjoy in Melbourne will become available
nation-wide," Mr Theophanous said.

"Real-time traffic information is transmitted via local FM frequency, meaning that drivers can be
advised of road conditions regardless of which capital city they are in.

"Being able to avoid road blockages and congestion means drivers spend less time in traffic,
thereby reducing commuter stress and carbon emissions.

"The Brumby Government strongly champions local businesses such as Intelematics Australia,
which uses creative research and development to generate opportunities for consumers and
industry."

The Brumby Government supports the Intelligent Transport Systems Network (ITSVIC) cluster
and has provided $100,000 in seed funding to establish a collaboration of providers, users and
others concerned with the research, development and application of ITS.

The wholly-owned subsidiary of the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) will be rolling out
the service to Australia's capital cities in the coming year. Sydney and Brisbane will be able to
access the service beginning April 2008.

To find out more about the Brumby Government's Intelligent Transport Systems cluster, visit
http://www.mmv.vic.gov.au/IntelligentTransportSystems

---------------------- news ends ----------------------

Media contact:
Cameron Scott
Phone: 0439 333 167 or 9651 5799
www.vic.gov.au


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Melbourne, September, 2007 return to top

Australian Navigation Industry Project Secures $1.2m Funding. Real-Time traffic services gain momentum through Australian Government Innovation grant.

Melbourne, 28 September 2007 - An Australian navigation project has secured $1.2m joint funding from the Australian Government and the local Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) industry to facilitate the national rollout of an Australian standard Traffic Message Channel (TMC) Navigation Location Table.

"This new funding will result in greatly increased innovation within Australia's rapidly growing ITS industry by accelerating the roll out of a common location table and thereby removing a major market entry barrier," said Adam Game, Chief Executive of Intelematics Australia and Board Member of ITS Australia. "Previously, Australian navigation service developers were forced to develop across multiple location platforms."

"The Australian TMC Location Table project is a joint undertaking between the navigation device makers, digital map developers, vehicle manufacturers and information service providers, reinforcing the strength and credibility of our local ITS industry through this unified approach."

Melbourne-based Intelematics Australia led the bid process which secured the $610,000 Australian Government Industry Cooperative Innovation Program grant on behalf of a broad-based consortium including key brands in the navigation and automotive sectors. This grant will be equally matched by Australia's ITS industry, bringing the total project funding to $1.2m. The implementation phase will be managed by peak industry body, Intelligent Transport Systems Australia.

TMC services connect (GPS) navigation systems to real-time content such as traffic conditions and weather. Because of the popularity of TMC in other markets, most navigation systems are TMC compatible. Australia, however, has hitherto lacked the infrastructure and investment to bring services to bear in the Australian market.

The new Location Table will form the critical infrastructure backbone for consistent, nation-wide location referencing, bringing Australia in line with most other developed countries in its deployment of a national standard.

The project will facilitate interoperability between the many GPS-based navigation technologies, systems and services available in Australia, bringing the local market in line with global TMC navigation initiatives. Full national rollout could take up to two years, however, it is hoped, that all major capitals will be mapped by mid-2008.

TMC is the global standard for broadcasting real-time traffic and weather information services to TMC-equipped navigation systems. The most common of these is a TMC-enabled navigation system that can offer dynamic route guidance - alerting the driver of a problem on the planned route and calculating an alternative route to avoid the problem.

The first TMC-based service available in Australia is the newly announced SUNA Traffic Channel, developed by Intelematics Australia. SUNA delivers highly detailed, real-time information about traffic and road directions directly to GPS navigation systems as well as smart phones and road information websites.

According to Game, the real benefit is for road users.
"With a common location table, new services will emerge that promise to improve the road user experience by keeping drivers and passengers better informed about road conditions, traffic congestion and other location-related information in real-time. Services such as SUNA Traffic Channel will also help make their travel experiences more efficient and safer."

The new grant was announced by Australian Industry Minister, Ian Macfarlane, MP, earlier this week. Full details are available at: www.ausindustry.gov.au

---------------------- news ends ----------------------

About Intelematics
Intelematics Australia is a leading provider of OEM telematics programs within the Asia Pacific region. Working in partnership with its clients, Intelematics creates tailored telematics programs that bring benefit to vehicle manufacturers, their maintenance and retail channels, and motorists.

Globally recognised for its innovation, Intelematics' services include safety and security, fleet and workforce management, real time traffic information and navigation, together with a range of real time motorist information and convenience services. Intelematics is also working with its clients to provide enhanced remote vehicle diagnostic and eCRM services.

Intelematics' award-winning Telematics Services Hub (TSH) is a custom-designed, OEM-grade platform that separates service provision from underlying vehicle telematics hardware. The TSH platform provides the Australian telematics programs for General Motors Holden, Toyota Motor Company Australia and Mitsubishi Motors Australia. The TSH also supports the aftermarket telematics Motoring Club product CarCom.

Intelematics is a wholly owned subsidiary of the RACV and is a founding member of Global Response - a strategic telematics alliance covering Europe, North America and Australia, with more than 80 million motoring club members.

For more information, visit the Intelematics website at www.intelematics.com.au .

Media Contacts:
Michael Henderson & Rachel Love
Blackie McDonald Communications
Phone: +61 2 8907 4900
Mobile: +61 413 054 738
Email: michael.henderson@bmcd.com.au

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Melbourne, August, 2007 return to top

Steer Clear of Traffic Gridlock

  • SUNA Traffic Channel is Australia's first real-time traffic information service for GPS navigation systems
  • World-first service helps drivers instantly avoid traffic congestion, road accidents
  • Service will initially cover 75% of Australia's urban population

The odds of avoiding unnecessary traffic congestion have tipped in motorists' favour with the launch today of Australia's first digital traffic information service. SUNA Traffic Channel, developed by Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) subsidiary Intelematics Australia, broadcasts detailed information on traffic congestion and other road conditions directly to GPS navigation systems, in real-time.

Armed with the new service, motorists can make informed decisions to be redirected around accidents, traffic jams and other hazards or to anticipate and sit through delays. Properly informed drivers can now arrive at their destinations without unnecessary frustration, thereby contributing to safer driving conditions. SUNA will also help motorists to cut their travel times through city and greater metropolitan areas, while potentially reducing their fuel consumption by minimising stop/start driving on congested roads.

From today, Intelematics has made SUNA available to Australia's navigation and automotive industries. SUNA is now commercially available in Melbourne and testing is under way in Sydney and Brisbane. Melbourne was selected for the first service release, owing to the assistance of VicRoads and Melbourne's position as the hub for Australia's automotive industry. SUNA's full availability in Brisbane and Sydney is planned for mid-2008.

SUNA will initially provide real-time traffic coverage across more than 75 per cent of Australia's urban population and this will increase when the service is launched in Adelaide and Perth, later in 2008.

Although there is no panacea for rush-hour congestion, many of the worst delays motorists experience can be attributed to road works and unpredictable causes including accidents and signal failures. With SUNA, motorists are informed in real-time to avoid such delays.

"With the new SUNA Traffic Channel, drivers can now understand, anticipate and respond to changes in the traffic flow and road conditions surrounding them in real-time," said Adam Game, Chief Executive of Intelematics Australia. "SUNA Traffic Channel is Australia's first digital traffic information broadcast and will operate 24 hours per day, all year round."

"The enormous popularity of similar services in Europe, Japan and North America suggests that motorists' value being informed in real-time about road conditions. Even the ability to estimate an accurate arrival time can be an enormous relief to motorists."

"SUNA is proudly an Australian innovation and based on technology used by millions of drivers worldwide, ensuring its compatibility with many of the navigation systems, already in use in Australia. With SUNA, drivers and passengers will have a safer and more enjoyable motoring experience through greater understanding and control over their surrounding road conditions," Game said.

Unique to SUNA is its ability to identify traffic congestion levels using data derived from traffic light control systems. SUNA Traffic Channel is the first TMC service in the world to apply technology which takes advantage of the data collected by tens of thousands of vehicle sensors driving modern traffic light control systems.

Through SUNA's sophisticated traffic prediction models and with cooperation by Australia's various State road authorities, this world-first approach has enabled the service to drill down to an extraordinary level of real-time detail.

SUNA will supplement the sensor-based data with information from probe vehicles deployed in known congested areas as well as live observation of road conditions by trained experts. The combined information is then broadcast in an encoded digital format via the FM frequency directly to compatible navigation devices.

SUNA is now being broadcast over 101.1FM in Melbourne and preliminary broadcasts have begun across 97.3FM in Brisbane and on 106.5FM in Sydney. Additionally, an online, XML-based feed of the SUNA Traffic Channel will be made available to developers and providers of internet-based traffic portals,, smart phones and the logistics sector.

Traffic congestion is a major community issue.
The Bureau of Transport Economics (BTE) estimates* that traffic delays in Melbourne cost the community around $2.7 billion per year in additional travel time and resource wastage. In Sydney, an NRMA Survey** in April 2007 found that 12 per cent of small businesses in NSW have seen their annual operating costs increase by as much as $20,000, through increased fuel consumption and operating costs as well as decreased staff punctuality and slowed-down productivity.

Availability
SUNA will be available to consumers as a service bundle through the leading portable navigation device brands as sold through major consumer electronics retailers. Intelematics is currently testing compatibility with a number of these brands, in anticipation of the service being available through retailers later in 2007.

Additionally, it is anticipated that vehicle manufacturers and importers will bundle the service with new navigation-equipped vehicles, with, consumer availability planned for 2008. For more information, please visit www.sunatraffic.com.au .

---------------------- news ends ----------------------

Notes for Editors
An electronic media kit containing background information, broadcast quality video footage and high resolution images is available by emailing SUNA@bmcd.com.au

Intelematics Australia's executives are available for media comment. To arrange an interview time, please call or email Intelematics' press contacts:

Michael Henderson & Rachel Love
Blackie McDonald Communications
Phone: +61 2 8907 4900
Mobile: +61 413 054 738
Email: SUNA@bmcd.com.au

About TMC
"TMC" or Traffic Message Channel is the international standard for delivering real-time information about road and traffic conditions to navigation systems. Currently, six million motorists in Europe and North America benefit from TMC services every day, and the market is growing at more than two million subscribers annually. Drivers of navigation-equipped European cars in Australia may have noticed the TMC feature on their existing systems.

About Intelematics
Intelematics Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of the RACV and is a founding member of Global Response - a strategic telematics alliance covering Europe, North America and Australia, with more than 80 million motoring club members.

Globally recognised for innovation, Intelematics Australia's services include safety and security, fleet and workforce management, real time traffic information and navigation, together with a range of real-time motorist information and convenience services. Intelematics also provides enhanced remote vehicle diagnostic and eCRM services.

Intelematics Australia is a leading provider of OEM telematics programs within the Asia Pacific region and works in partnership with its clients to create tailored programs that bring benefit to vehicle manufacturers, their maintenance and retail channels, and motorists.

Intelematics' award-winning Telematics Services Hub (TSH) is a custom-designed, OEM-grade platform that separates service provision from underlying vehicle hardware. The TSH platform provides the Australian telematics programs for General Motors Holden, Toyota Motor Company Australia and Mitsubishi Motors Australia. The TSH also supports the aftermarket telematics Motoring Club product CarCom.

For more information, visit the Intelematics website at www.intelematics.com.au

References

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Melbourne, July, 2007 return to top

New FM Broadcast Delivers 24x7 Real-Time Traffic Information To Navigation Systems
Intelematics Australia announces first digital broadcast of live traffic conditions

Intelematics Australia today announced that Australia's first 24x7 digital broadcast of real-time traffic conditions was underway.

The broadcast marks a significant milestone in the rollout of Suna Traffic Channel - Intelematics' new real-time traffic service which broadcasts comprehensive information on road conditions to in-car navigation systems around the clock.

The new service is now being broadcast using existing FM infrastructure to transmit the traffic information to compatible navigation devices via "TMC" or Traffic Message Channel. TMC is the international standard for delivering real-time information about road and traffic conditions to navigation systems.

Currently, six million motorists in Europe and North America benefit from TMC services every day, and the market is growing at more than two million subscribers annually. Drivers of navigation-equipped European cars in Australia may have noticed the TMC feature on their existing systems.

"For the very first time, Australian motorists can make informed decisions about their travel routes using real-time information that is beamed to their navigation systems around the clock," said Adam Game, CEO of Intelematics Australia.

"Intelematics has developed Australia's first and only comprehensive real-time navigation service that is based on the global TMC standard. We have combined live data from thousands of traffic network sensors with human observation of road conditions to deliver one of the world's most detailed and accurate navigation services."

"This enhances driver safety by providing greater control. Drivers can now be better informed about the road conditions around them to avoid traffic congestion and incidents," Game said.

During the coming months, Intelematics will undertake final calibration and testing of the service, prior to it becoming available to consumers. The first broadcast has commenced in Melbourne, using FM 101.1. Testing in additional cities will also commence during this period.

The new traffic service is encoded and inaudible, similar to the technology available in high-end car stereos that display station ID and song titles. The Suna traffic information service can only be decoded by TMC receivers linked to navigation units. It is compatible with most current generation navigation systems through the addition of a low-cost FM receiver and the necessary software.

Melbourne was selected for the first broadcast owing to the assistance of VicRoads in providing access to a range of traffic data. Unique to Intelematics' approach is the identification of congestion levels using data derived from the traffic light control system.

Intelematics combines this data with additional detail from probe vehicles and human observers to provide one of the most comprehensive TMC navigation services available globally.

Intelematics will make additional information about the new service available in August 2007.

www.intelematics.com.au

About Intelematics Australia:
Intelematics Australia is a leading provider of OEM telematics programs within the Asia Pacific region. Working in partnership with its clients, Intelematics creates tailored telematics programs that bring benefit to vehicle manufacturers, their maintenance and retail channels, and motorists.

Globally recognised for its innovation, Intelematics' services include safety and security, fleet and workforce management, real time traffic information and navigation, together with a range of real time motorist information and convenience services. Intelematics is also working with its clients to provide enhanced remote vehicle diagnostic and eCRM services.

Intelematics' award-winning Telematics Services Hub (TSH) is a custom-designed, OEM-grade platform that separates service provision from underlying vehicle telematics hardware. The TSH platform provides the Australian telematics programs for General Motors Holden, Toyota Motor Company Australia and Mitsubishi Motors Australia. The TSH also supports the aftermarket telematics Motoring Club product CarCom.

Intelematics is a wholly owned subsidiary of the RACV and is a founding member of Global Response - a strategic telematics alliance covering Europe, North America and Australia, with more than 80 million motoring club members.

Media Contacts:
Michael Henderson & Rachel Love
Blackie McDonald Communications
Phone: +61 2 8907 4900
Mobile: +61 413 054 738
Email: michael.henderson@bmcd.com.au

For more information, visit the Intelematics website at www.intelematics.com.au .

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Melbourne, May, 2007 return to top

Intelematics Australia launches RACV Trip Planner - online mapping service with interactive trip planning tool

Intelematics Australia has launched a new online road holiday planning application for Royal Automobile Club of Victoria ( RACV) members. Developed and hosted for RACV by Intelematics, the Trip Planner application allows members to custom design their road holiday throughout Australia.

While there are many online mapping sites available their main focus is providing information on how to travel between two locations in the shortest possible time. In contrast the RACV Trip planner uses an innovative 'pipe map' to allow members to quickly and easily browse the different towns, attractions and accommodation along their route.

Adam Game, CEO Intelematics said, "The biggest challenge Intelematics undertook in building the trip planner site was addressing our brief to provide users a schematic overview of the route and nearby off-route attractions - providing users an interactive equivalent of the traditional paper 'strip-map'. Strip maps are hand-crafted, not-to-scale travel guides that have traditionally been offered by Australian motoring clubs. The 'pipe-map' concept was a successful solution to the migration of the 'strip-map', enabling members to quickly explore places to see and visit along the journey."

Once the relevant journey information has been selected, members are able to save their chosen route against their member profile to create a personalised travel plan including driving directions and detailed journey maps. Members are also given the option to print the travel plan if need be.

Game continued, "RACV members have a strong affinity with paper maps so it was important that once created members could print their holiday as a fully integrated travel plan that they would feel confident to take on the road with them."

In the past, planning a major road trip was a complex task, requiring numerous maps, guides and tourist brochures. The RACV Trip Planner puts all this information at the finger tips of members, allowing them to tailor their holiday plans to meet their own needs.

The RACV Trip Planner application was developed using the capability of the award winning Telematics Services Hub (TSH). The TSH is a world-first platform that connects the car, the motorist, the mobile phone, fleet manager, auto manufacturer/importer and motoring content provider together within a single, fully integrated service management platform.

"Using the capabilities of the TSH allowed us to easily integrate the different information sources required to power the site. It also allows for future flexibility to link the application into the vehicle. This will give members the ability to be located and keep in touch with family and friends whilst on the road." said Game.

Additional Information:
The RACV Trip planner was developed by Intelematics in close collaboration with RACV, leveraging PTV geo-spatial technology. Destination and accommodation content is sourced from RACV (and affiliate AAA Tourism), with digital maps by NAVTEQ.

Contact:
Kathryn Whitfield, Marketing Manager +61 3 8415 9000
kwhitfield@intelematics.com.au

traffic web example

For more information, visit the RACV website at maps.racv.com.au .

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Melbourne, February, 2007 return to top

Intelematics hosting meetings on global technical standards for navigation systems

The principal global players in the vehicle navigation market began a week of meetings in Melbourne today, ahead of a conference to thrash out new technical standards that, it is hoped, will further enhance the appeal and usability of navigation.

The meeting is being hosted by RACV subsidiary Intelematics Australia, under the auspices of the International Standards Organisation. Delegates from the key automotive electronics markets of Japan, Korea, Europe and the USA are represented.

Vehicle navigation has gained high visibility over the past 12 months as Australian consumers have moved, in their hundreds of thousands, to purchase navigation systems (sometimes also referred to as GPS). In all there now more than a dozen brands active in the Australian market, including the global leaders Navman, Garmin, and TomTom.

Much of the standardisation effort at the Melbourne meeting is focused on bringing dynamic content into such navigation platforms. This includes real time information such as road conditions, tourist information, and periodic updates to the digital road map. This architecture will also support public safety information such as road closures due to bushfires.

"In a small market like Australia, we need international standards to create the scale required to invest in advanced automotive technologies like navigation. Even with standards, Australia has been late in adopting navigation - without standards, we would still be waiting to see affordable and high quality products in the Australian market.", said Adam Game, CEO of Intelematics.

Intelematics is currently rolling out a national digital traffic information service that will add electronic traffic avoidance capability to navigation systems. According to Game, "Australia is virtually the last developed country in which navigation systems are not connected to real-time road network information. Yet as a result of the standardisation process, virtually all navigation vendors active in the Australian market have products that are technically ready to receive our broadcast."

A number of navigation hardware vendors and vehicle manufacturers are currently testing Intelematics' Melbourne traffic service, which is the first city to commence broadcast.

It is anticipated that consumers will be able to buy navigation systems with the Intelematics traffic broadcast in the second half of 2007. According to Intelematics, technology-savvy navigation system purchasers, not wanting to wait for digital traffic information, can future-proof their investment by checking for 'TMC' (Traffic Message Channel) compatibility.

"Content is the foundation of navigation systems - however content by its nature must be created anew in each country. The standardisation effort has enabled investment in the mapping of Australia, and now in the creation of a national traffic information broadcast.", said Game.

The meeting runs until Friday.

--- ENDS ---

Further Information:
For more information please contact Intelematics' Marketing Manager, Kathryn Whitfield on 03 8415 9000. International delegates may be available for comment.

Navigation Standards:
The meeting is technically referred to as International Standards Organisation, Technical Committee 204, Working Group 3. The main content standards currently used in navigation systems referred to as GDF (Geographic Data File - enabling the use of a common interchange format for digital maps) and TMC (Traffic Message Channel - which enables traffic information to be silently encoded on an FM radio broadcast).

Intelematics:
Intelematics Australia is a leading provider of OEM telematics programs within the Asia Pacific region. Working in partnership with its clients Intelematics aims to create tailored telematics programs that bring benefits to vehicle manufacturers, their maintenance and retail channels, and motorists. Globally recognised for its innovation, Intelematics' services include safety and security, fleet and workforce management, real time traffic information and navigation, together with a range of real time motorist information and convenience services. Intelematics is also working with its clients to provide enhanced remote vehicle diagnostic and eCRM services.

Intelematics is a founding member of Global Response - a strategic telematics alliance drawing together the leading automobile clubs in Europe, Northern America and Australia. The global alliance draws on the strength of more than 80 million motoring club members worldwide, providing Intelematics access to shared technology, and a connection to consumer, automotive and mobility trends.

For more information, visit Intelematics' website at www.intelematics.com.au .

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Melbourne, January, 2007 return to top

Intelematics receives ISO 9001:2000 certification

Intelematics Australia Pty Ltd ("Intelematics") has received certification as an ISO 9001:2000 by Australia's premier recognition body, NCS International. The ISO 9001:2000 certification has been awarded for their quality management system in relation to the design and supply of motoring related mobility based products and services.

Intelematics is the leading provider of telematics product and service solutions to the Australian automotive industry and recently completed independent assessment by NCIS. Intelematics is delighted to have been awarded the certification demonstrating their commitment to their automotive customers and the industry as a whole.

Adam Game, CEO Intelematics said, "Our business depends on the delivery of the highest quality services possible. This certification underpins our commitment to providing services that are reflective of the high quality standards of our customer's brands."

"Our principal objective is to deliver service excellence to our customers. The adoption of ISO 9001:2000 provides a framework to measure and continually refine the customer service experience; with particular attention to delivering consistent service outcomes (effectiveness), service efficiency and customer satisfaction."

"The ISO 9001:2000 certification identifies that meeting customer needs is a requirement for being in business, but being able to meet customer's needs in an effective and profitable manner is a prerequisite for staying in business."

Adam continued, "Our position as a leading company in the telematics industry makes it even more important that we recognise, and emulate the standards set by the automotive industry and our customers. Whilst we have achieved the level required for ISO 9001:2000 certification, we remain committed to continuing to meet these standards ongoing to ensure consistently high quality outcomes for our customers."

"The ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems series of standards were initially developed as a tool for improving the quality and consistency of products, with a significant emphasis on greater customer confidence in suppliers and the quality of their products."

Adam concluded, "The adoption of these processes recognises the growth and development of telematics as an industry. The achievement provides our customers with the ability to buy with confidence, for whilst we have always delivered at a high level of quality, this certification is a formalisation of the commitment to be a true Tier 1, global supplier."

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Contact info:
For more information on please contact the Intelematics' Marketing Manager, Kathryn Whitfield on 03 8415 9000

About NCS International:
NCS International (NCSI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA) and is fully Australian owned.

NATA was the first Australian certification body accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australian and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) for the certification of quality management systems to the ISO 9000 series.NCSI, through all of its certification and associated services, has as its prime objective the development and improvement of industry and commerce in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Certification by NCSI of the management system provides national and international recognition that the system complies with the nominated standard.

NCSI is now widely regarded as Australia's premier recognition body.

For more information visit www.ncis.com.au .

About Intelematics Australia:
Intelematics Australia is a leading provider of Automotive Manufacturer telematics programs. Working in partnership with its clients, Intelematics aims to create tailored telematics programs that bring benefits to vehicle manufacturers, their maintenance and retail channels, and motorists.

Globally recognised for its innovation, Intelematics' services include safety and security, fleet and workforce management, real time traffic information and navigation, together with a range of real time motorist information and convenience services. Intelematics is also working with its clients to provide enhanced remote vehicle diagnostic and eCRM services.

Intelematics is a founding member of Global Response - a strategic telematics alliance drawing together the leading automobile clubs in Europe, Northern America and Australia. The global alliance draws on the strength of more than 80 million motoring club members worldwide, providing Intelematics access to shared technology, and a connection to consumer, automotive and mobility trends.

For more information, visit Intelematics' website at www.intelematics.com.au .

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Melbourne, August, 2006 return to top

Intelematics selects ITIS to supply RDS-TMC platform for Australia

Intelematics Australia Pty Ltd ("Intelematics") and ITIS Holdings plc ("ITIS") are pleased to announce that they have entered into an agreement for Intelematics to licence and deploy ITIS developed RDS TMC software for a nationwide RDS-TMC service in Australia.

Intelematics intend to launch the first commercial broadcast RDS-TMC service in Australia from early 2007. This service will be received by a growing number of both in-car navigation devices and personal navigational devices (PND) to allow dynamic routing to be used to avoid traffic congestion and hence minimise journey times. RDS-TMC is the chosen route for this new service as it is the most popular world-wide standard for broadcast traffic services and is already adopted by car manufacturer systems and the PND product manufacturers that are represented in the Australian market.

Intelematics is working with ITIS to integrate average vehicle speed data from road loops in metropolitan areas into the TMC application, and to merge that information with journalistic data entered by traffic operators with more detailed knowledge of incidents affecting the road network. With both the 'cause' and 'effect' information that these sources provide Intelematics, utilising the ITIS application, will be able to provide a high quality traffic service to road users.

The agreement starts with immediate effect to deploy the trial system ahead of commercial launch, and will continue until at least December 2011.

Adam Game, CEO of Intelematics said, "We are delighted to be working with ITIS as we are confident that their prominence and success in the RDS-TMC field will help us achieve our goal of extending the reach of our traffic services to this important group of customers."

Game added, "For our customers, technical alignment of our RDS-TMC implementation with Europe's leading commercial RDS-TMC service will minimise risk and unnecessary localisation that would otherwise be involved in adding traffic to navigation systems in the Australian market".

Stuart Marks, Chief Executive of ITIS Holdings said, "As the leading provider of commercial RDS-TMC services, we are delighted that Intelematics have chosen to use our software and platform for their own service in Australia. This is the first time that we have licensed our proprietary TMC platform which currently supports over 250,000 drivers in the UK and is the largest commercial deployment of TMC anywhere in the world."

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Contact:
Stuart Marks, Chief Executive, ITIS Holdings plc- +44 (0)161 929 5788

Ged Brumby, Citigate Dewe Rogerson- +44 (0) 207 282 2945

Adam Game, Chief Executive Officer, Intelematics Australia- +61 (0) 3 8415 9000

Brian Smith, General Manager Traffic & Content, Intelematics Australia- +61 (0) 3 8415 9000

Note to Editors:
What is Traffic Message Channel (TMC)?

The Traffic Message Channel (TMC) is a specific application of the FM Radio Data System (RDS) used for broadcasting real-time traffic and weather information. Data messages are received silently and decoded by a TMC-equipped car radio or navigation system, and delivered to the driver in a variety of ways. The most common of these is a TMC-enabled navigation system that can offer dynamic route guidance - alerting the driver of a problem on the planned route and calculating an alternative route to avoid the incident.

About ITIS:
ITIS Holdings plc, listed on AIM, is the UK's leading provider of traffic information and vehicle security services. ITIS has invested in the development of a unique system for the collection and analysis of traffic information, it combines journalistic information with ITIS' historic and real-time Floating Vehicle Data (FVD) to provide journey time forecasts and real-time updates. ITIS now operates the largest commercial application of FVD anywhere in the world, and delivers the content over a variety of platforms including RDS-TMC (Alert C), digital radio and automated telephone services (IVR) under the AA RoadWatch brand.

ITIS traffic information is collated from a combination of journalistic and real-time sources using its own FVD network. The data is then transmitted directly to the TMC receiver using a carrier of the Classic FM radio network, which provides coverage of 90% of the strategic road network.

Through its NavTrak business ( www.navtrak.com), ITIS has developed a unique and innovative stolen vehicle tracking service delivered via GPS/GSM technology.

ITIS provide traffic data to all UK mobile phone providers. To receive up-to-date traffic and travel information direct from your UK mobile phone call 401100 from any network; 2222 from Vodafone; 2020 from T-mobile.

ITIS provide traffic data to www.getmethere.co.uk, a comprehensive service from Toyota UK providing information on route planning, traffic information, traffic alerts and incidents, and weather forecasts.

For further information please visit www.itisholdings.com or www.navtrak.com

About Intelematics Australia:
Established in 1999, Intelematics Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV). The company is a global leader in telematics development and service delivery, and focuses on vehicle safety and security systems, in-vehicle information assistance, and traffic, travel & entertainment services.

Intelematics Australia creates seamless 'white-label' interface solutions in partnership with Australia's leading automotive manufacturers, importers and aftermarket service providers. The company provides customised services to meet the needs and demands of its customers through a wide range of in-vehicle and other mobile technologies.

Intelematics Australia is a founding member of Global Response - a strategic telematics alliance drawing together the leading automobile clubs in Europe, the United States and Canada. The global alliance draws on the strength of more than 80 million club members worldwide, providing Intelematics with access to shared technology and a connection to consumer, automotive and mobility trends.

The team behind Intelematics is driven by a strong passion for mobility and productivity-related technologies to provide motorists with 'peace of mind' when it comes to their personal safety, the security of their mobile assets and the option to engage via embedded technology providing elements of convenience and productivity.

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Melbourne, September, 2005 return to top

Stress free behind the wheel - Traffic data broadcasts come to Australia

Intelematics Australia today previewed the answer to wasting time and getting stressed when stuck in traffic - Australia's first broadcast of digital traffic information.

The transmission, using Radio Data Service - Traffic Message Channel (RDS-TMC), commenced this morning as part of a standard FM broadcast transmitted by Adelaide radio station Mix 102.3FM. The preview took place on the circuit of Smart Demo, the international Intelligent Transport Systems event currently taking place in Adelaide.

RDS-TMC is the technology that allows digitally encoded road traffic information to be broadcast using the FM radio spectrum. By using the frequency of an existing FM radio station, the traffic information can be broadcast without any impact on radio listeners and made available over the entire coverage area of the FM signal. Once broadcast, the information is received and decoded by vehicle navigation hardware and provides quickest route guidance taking account of current traffic conditions.

Developed in Europe, RDS-TMC is now an internationally recognised standard. In Europe alone, there are over 50 million radios capable of receiving RDS-TMC transmissions. The technology is also used across much of North America and comparable services are commonplace in Japan.

Generally, RDS-TMC receivers interface with navigation systems, enabling route guidance services to help motorists avoid congestion and provide the quickest way from A to B. The availability of dynamic traffic information has been instrumental in triggering the explosion in the take up of navigation systems in Europe and Japan, enabling commuters to save time and reduce stress when driving.

Virtually all navigation system vendors active in the Australian market already have hardware capable of receiving RDS-TMC, including those supplying leading passenger vehicle brands. According to Sensis' Managing Director Location and Navigation Chris Smith, many European-sourced systems need nothing more than an upgrade to their navigation database to enable RDS-TMC.

"The Australian market is in a good position to be able to adopt traffic-enabled navigation relatively quickly, and importantly, at a reasonable cost."

Adam Game, CEO of Intelematics said, "Smart Demo has provided us an opportunity to lift the veil on part of our traffic service initiative; we are now ready to engage with the industry to support commercial deployments during 2006".

As well as being a time-saver for individual motorists, effective traffic information services have been recognised as enabling safer and more effective use of congested road networks. Even a relatively small number of motorists using the service can reduce overall network congestion levels by diverting enough traffic around incidents before congestion clogs the network.

"This development will not only benefit individual motorists but will ensure Australia makes the best use of its congested road infrastructure, with benefits to all Australians", said Colin Jordan CEO of the RACV motoring organisation.

The Adelaide demonstration will be followed up by a longer term RDS-TMC development broadcast beginning next week in Melbourne. Both broadcasts have been made possible through the collaboration of Intelematics, Sensis, Australian Radio Network and GEWI, a leading European RDS-TMC technology vendor.

As well as providing traffic information directly into navigation systems, Intelematics plan a range of innovative traffic products that will be accessible via the internet and mobile phones. The first services are planned to launch in 2006 with a full national rollout to follow.

Intelematics Australia is the company enabling telematics capability for Australia's leading vehicle manufacturers.

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Melbourne, August, 2005 return to top

Intelematics Scoops Automotive Excellence Gold Award

Intelematics, the Melbourne-based leader in vehicle telematics development and service delivery, has been awarded the prestigious Gold Automotive Engineering Excellence Award by the Society of Automotive Engineers - Australasia (SAE-A).

The award, one of the Australian Automotive Industry's highest honours, was presented to Intelematics for its world-first development of the Telematics Services Hub (TSH).

The TSH is the core technology platform used by Intelematics to operate telematics programs for the automotive industry. Telematics services are real-time services provided wirelessly to vehicles, directed at enhancing the safety, efficiency, and pleasure of motoring.

The TSH provides a highly secure gateway connecting motorists' vehicles to emergency services, fleet managers, auto manufacturers, content providers, route planners and other driver services.

A challenge for the emerging telematics market is the complexity created by competing technology from Europe, Asia and North America. For automotive manufacturers, the TSH has simplified the introduction of vehicle telematics services to Australia by masking many of these issues by offering multi-environment support able to rapidly integrate with any protocol, mobile hardware device, service or communication platform.

Through its multi-platform support, the TSH has proven to significantly lower costs for service providers while unlocking broader business benefits for automotive engineers, marketing departments and automotive dealerships and it is now in use by several major vehicle manufacturers in Australia.

Intelematics Australia CEO Adam Game, said, We're very honoured to have received this Gold Award from the SAE-A as recognition of our innovation, and pioneering role in the telematics industry.

Information and communication technologies are an increasingly important part of the modern vehicle. As Intelematics has demonstrated, this presents the Australian industry with an opportunity to develop creative and cost-effective technology solutions.

As Intelematics is a technology and services company rather than a traditional manufacturer of physical components, this makes us especially honoured to be awarded the SAE-A's premier award.

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Melbourne, April, 2005 return to top

Intelematics Australia Named Finalist in Australian Design Awards

- Breakthrough interactive driver interface awarded Australian DesignMark®
- Provides two-way voice communication between passengers and SOS emergency services

Intelematics Australia, a global leader in vehicle telematics development and service delivery, today announced that its breakthrough driver interface has been awarded an Australian DesignMark and listed as a Finalist in the 2005 Australian Design Awards.

The in-vehicle driver interface was jointly designed and engineered by Intelematics Australia and Melbourne-based multi-award winning designers Catalyst Design Group following consultation with vehicle importers and consumers.

This consultation revealed that the automotive aftermarket lacked a suitable driver interface that would complement prestige and performance vehicles, creating a significant barrier to vehicle importer adoption.

Intelematics Australia's innovation addresses the challenge of providing a cabin mounted driver interface that is both functional and aesthetic. The interface is a very small and flexible button pad that incorporates three buttons, two LED lights and a microphone to enable interactive voice communication between passengers and an assistance call centre.

The button pad simplifies installation and reduces cabin clutter, and has a unique flexible construction enabling it to be mounted on curved surfaces.

The button pad enhances passenger safety by providing 'one-touch' access to SOS emergency operators following an accident or during other incidents such as a car-jacking or road rage attack. Intelematics Australia is the only system available locally that enables two-way voice communication between passengers and emergency services operators.

Intelematics Australia has incorporated the interface in CarCom, the company's new anti-theft, passenger safety and driver assistance system that was launched in Australia, in late-March 2005. The launch of CarCom followed a two-year research and development effort and leverages off a $10m investment by the NRMA and the RACV.

Adam Game, Chief Executive of Intelematics Australia, said, "The new driver interface represents a significant evolution in vehicle electronics design and provides the convergence point for advanced safety, security and convenience services."

"The interface has created a new benchmark for vehicle security and passenger safety systems, and the enthusiasm from our existing customers and vehicle importers has been unprecedented."

"Together with Catalyst Design Group we are very pleased to have been awarded the Australian DesignMark, recognising the design innovation incorporated within the interface."

Monitored 24-hours a day, the system greatly improves vehicle security and can proactively deter thieves by disturbing them during an attempted theft. The interface can be used by Intelematics Australia's Assistance Centre to warn thieves that the tracking system has been activated and that police services have been summonsed and will be on the scene very quickly.

Recognised as a global innovator, Intelematics Australia was recently awarded an Australian Innovation Patent for its telematics driver interface and the company was a Finalist alongside technology giants Microsoft, Motorola and OnStar at the International Telematics Update Awards in 2004.

Benefits of the new driver interface include:

  • Provides simultaneous voice and data connection
  • Reduces driver distraction
  • Provides 'one touch' access to emergency service operators
  • Deters thieves proactively
  • Enables fitment to virtually any surface
  • Integrates seamlessly with any interiors
  • Provides efficient driver interactivity
  • Enables broader service offerings
  • Simple to use
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Melbourne, March, 2005 return to top

Breakthrough Australian Technology Innovation Better Combats Car Theft, Car-Jacking & Road Rage

- CarCom offers vehicle importers & consumers premium grade anti-theft protection
- Improves passenger safety with one-touch emergency assistance
- Delivers on 'connected motoring' vision

A breakthrough Australian technology innovation that rewrites the standards for vehicle security, driver assistance and passenger protection against car-jacking and road rage is now available to vehicle importers and owners.

The feature-packed CarCom anti-theft system combines advanced in-vehicle telematics, satellite and mobile phone technologies with 24-hour security monitoring to deliver the highest levels of vehicle protection, driver assistance and passenger safety available in Australia.

CarCom services are available across the Telstra GSM Mobile Network and the award winning CarCom Assistance Centre, staffed by highly trained and security cleared call agents, is ready to respond 24 hours a day. CarCom is inexpensive, with a one year subscription available for less than one dollar per day.

CarCom was developed locally by Intelematics Australia, a global leader in telematics development and service delivery, and the Melbourne-based joint venture company of NRMA Member Services and the RACV. CarCom offers vehicle importers and owners access to premium grade services that address key insurer, emergency services and security industry requirements.

CarCom offers an ideal solution for:
  • Vehicle importers seeking premium grade anti-theft protection
  • Vehicle owners wanting the highest levels of vehicle security, driver assistance & personal safety
  • Businesses requiring greater security protection for mobile executives

CarCom set the benchmark for aftermarket tracking systems when launched in 1999 by the NRMA and the RACV. Since then, Intelematics Australia has claimed market leadership as the brand behind Australia's leading GPS-based telematics solutions in both the manufacturer and consumer markets. Intelematics Australia is recognised globally for its innovation and was a Finalist alongside Microsoft, Motorola and OnStar at the industry's premier "International Telematics Update" awards show in Detroit in 2004 and has been short-listed for a "2005 Australian Design Award".

Adam Game, Intelematics Australia's chief executive, said "the new CarCom raises the bar of what importers, owners and insurers should demand from vehicle security systems and includes critical passenger safety services that provide help in real world situations."

"CarCom addresses many of the safety and security risks associated with motoring today including vehicle theft, car-jacking and road rage, providing owners with peace-of-mind in any motoring situation. At the touch of a button passengers can be immediately connected to emergency assistance via a two-way voice and data link, a critical step towards helping reduce the response time of Police and Ambulance services."

"CarCom has been specifically developed to address the slow adoption by Australian vehicle importers of aftermarket telematics solutions. CarCom provides vehicle importers with a fast-to-market, cost effective and open standards-based telematics solution which is of the highest automotive grade and is engineered to complement a wide range of manufacturers' electronics systems", Game said.

The 2005 evolution of CarCom follows two years of intensive research and development, and leverages more than a $10M investment. CarCom steps beyond traditional tracking services, representing the Intelematics 'connected motoring' vision.

Vehicle Security
The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council estimates that Australia has one of the worst vehicle theft rates in the world, with more than 88,000 cars stolen each year. Vehicle theft costs the Australian economy in excess of $1billion annually and has resulted in increased insurance premiums.

CarCom can quickly locate, track and assist with the recovery of stolen vehicles and can remotely immobilise a stolen vehicle under police supervision. CarCom offers proactive threat deterrence and has been tailored to Australian insurance requirements, to potentially reduce premiums* for owners of sports, luxury, classic, off-road and other variants, as well as for younger drivers. Noting industry, government and privacy concerns, CarCom does not allow "do-it-yourself" tracking or immobilisation.

Passenger Safety
Passenger safety is a priority for CarCom. With the number of car-jackings and road rage incidents on the increase and more than 600,000 reported road crashes in Australia each year, every second saved in emergency services response time becomes vital in saving lives and reducing the consequences of road trauma.

CarCom enhances passenger safety in situations where emergency services are required. Utilising mobile phone (GSM) technology, CarCom's one-touch SOS emergency assistance function immediately connects passengers with emergency service operators. Simultaneously the system transmits a data message (via SMS) pinpointing the vehicle's exact location on digital mapping systems. This passenger safety innovation can potentially shorten emergency services response times to the scene.

Driver Assistance
For owners who accidentally lock their keys inside their vehicle or for those who never open the bonnet to check the battery, CarCom will be of valuable assistance. CarCom's remote unlock feature enables owners to retrieve their keys easily without the embarrassment of calling friends or roadside assistance for help. CarCom also alerts owners if their battery is running low and can connect drivers to roadside assistance providers following vehicle malfunction or break down.

CarCom Button Pad
In collaboration with leading local industrial designer, Catalyst Design Group, Intelematics Australia has created an offering that addresses the challenge of providing a cabin mounted driver interface that is both functional and aesthetic. The button pad is also designed to simplify installation and reduce cabin clutter by including an integrated microphone providing passengers with the ability to speak directly with a CarCom Assistance Centre agent. The button pad has a unique flexible construction enabling it to be mounted on curved surfaces.

CarCom Features:
  • Inexpensive
  • Available wherever the Telstra GSM Mobile Network has coverage
  • Two-way voice & data communication
  • Attractive & unobtrusive slim-line design
  • Includes one touch SOS emergency assistance
  • Security & malfunction monitoring 24 hours a day
  • Network coverage & customer support 24 hours a day
  • Battery status monitoring
  • Remote unlock

Pricing:
A one year subscription to CarCom is $350.00 or less than one dollar a day including 24-hour security monitoring, assistance and customer support. The system requires an initial service charge of $1,895.00 for the first year's services and in-vehicle hardware components.

* Please refer to your insurer regarding insurance premiums. CarCom does not enter into insurance negotiations.

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Melbourne, March, 2005 return to top

The Future For In-Car Communications Unveiled

At this Wednesday's Change by Design conference in Melbourne, the Australian Telematics Industry Cluster, a consortium of leading motoring and technology companies, will unveil its AT Signature Initiative, the future for Australian In-Car Communications.

AT Signature is a broadband, in-car touch-screen enabled system with an exciting array of features. The Mark 1 prototype includes:
  • Turn by turn directions to your required destination
  • Real-time monitoring of traffic congestion
  • Real-time roadside camera images
  • Nearby car park locations, availability and prices
  • Emergency features such as SOS assistance, vehicle alarm monitoring and crash detection
  • Ability to check your CityLink toll balance
  • A range of high-value alerts including traffic alerts, car service reminders, fuel pricing and weather alerts

You can even monitor and operate services in your home, such as lights, alarms and air-conditioning.

"The motor vehicle represents the third generation of wired communications behind the Internet and mobile phones", said Mr Adam Game, CEO of Intelematics Australia Pty Ltd. "The rapid uptake of in-car navigation shows us that there is enormous latent driver demand for in-car services."

"AT Signature shows us what can be done through the integration of technologies, services and content designed with the needs of today's driver in mind."

"Motorists need to know what is happening beyond what they can directly perceive. Is there an accident ahead? Will the road conditions be bad? How do I get there? Has my home alarm been triggered? AT Signature will greatly assist drivers in managing these and many other vehicle and home environment tasks."

According to Mr Brian Smith, General Manager of Sensis Wireless & Location unit, AT Signature is a great story of vision and Australian innovation. "It demonstrates not only an exciting future for Australian drivers, but it shows just what can be achieved by Australian organisations working together with common goals."

The AT Signature platform can be viewed at the Change by Design conference at the Melbourne Convention Centre on Wednesday 2 March.

Media enquiries regarding the in-car Telematics system and it's functions can be directed to Mr Adam Game, CEO, Intelematics Pty Ltd.

About the Australian Telematics Industry Initiative

The Australian Telematics Industry Initiative aims to create a new national telematics sector through a number of initiatives such as collaborative industry projects, the development of a national telematics cluster, establishing a national capabilities handbook, international benchmarking, and technology road mapping. The initiative is strongly supported by industry, led by a pro-active consortium of leading motoring and technology companies including Australian Arrow, Clipsal, Holden, Intelematics, Sensis and 3M Touch Systems.

With the backing of AusIndustry and the Victorian Government, AEEMA in liaison with ITS Australia, have been working with the consortium to create a vision for the wired car. AT Signature is that vision - a broadband enabled in-dash communications system that connects drivers with the information they need to take control of their environment.

Further information relating to the Australian Telematics Industry Cluster, please contact Mr. John Humphreys, Leader, National Telematics Industry Initiative and Managing Director, Global Innovation Centre Pty Ltd on 07 3831 1636, 0419 870 009 or johnh@globalinnovation.com.au.

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Melbourne, May, 2004 return to top

Intelematics goes head to head with Microsoft

Intelematics Australia has been globally recognised for its breakthrough technology that is changing the way we drive. One of five finalists vying for the global Telematics Awards - 'Best Technology/Telematics Solutions Award' - Intelematics is being recognised for its Telematics Services Hub (TSH). Other finalists are Microsoft, Motorola, OnStar and QNX Software Systems. The award will be presented in Detroit, US on 25 May, at the annual Telematics Detroit Conference.

"Telematics is about providing real time information services to the driver. We believe that the TSH, which has now been recognised internationally, will help accelerate the adoption of these services", said CEO Intelematics Australia, Adam Game. Intelematics' TSH is a world-first platform that connects together the car dashboard, the motorist, the mobile phone, fleet manager, auto manufacturer/ importer and motoring content provider within a single, fully integrated service management platform.

"While other technology solutions enable remote vehicle communication, they are not easily adaptable to support a wide range of in-vehicle telematics platforms or customer channels. That's where we differ", Game said. "TSH enables motoring-related companies rapid market entry and is not limited to a specific geography, telematics hardware or operating system."

"The flexibility of TSH is evident through the support shown by leading European, Japanese and Australian auto manufacturers", said Game. Intelematics' technology provides operators with access to vehicle location and all the tools required for remote vehicle communication ranging from remotely unlocking a vehicle, provision of route guidance services as well as remote diagnostic capabilities.

Game says telematics programs are increasing in popularity as more and more motorists come to understand the immense security, emergency, and information benefits to the owner/driver. "We anticipate that telematics will become pervasive in passenger vehicles within 5 to 10 years", he added. The Telematics Services Hub is the fruit of several years design, research and development. Key components of TSH were developed in collaboration with Webraska (world leader in geo-spatial technology) and ADAC (German motoring club and European pioneer of telematics).

TSH technology is currently being used to deliver telematics services through a mix of channels including, both OEMs (Holden Australia) and Aftermarket (TLC, NRMA and RACV Carcom) channels. The services offered include: alarm monitoring, remote unlock, vehicle entry alert, vehicle location and emergency roadside assistance. The TSH is also used to support Internet-based services such as mapping and driving directions for the RACV and other customers.

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