Combining Power of In-Dash Navigation with the Convenience of a Portable Device
Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. marked another milestone in navigation history with the launch of its AVIC-F500BT, the first hybrid navigation system that brings the power of an in-dash device with the convenience of a portable system.

Designed to integrate with virtually any factory audio system, the AVIC-F500BT provides the opportunity for consumers to add unparalleled navigation features and extended entertainment capabilities without modifying existing car stereos. Furthermore, the AVIC-F500BT will offer advanced voice technology for control of Apple iPod music players and Bluetooth enabled cellular phones.

“The AVIC-F500BT gives consumers the opportunity to merge their lifestyle products and habits into their cars, regardless of the type of vehicle they drive,” said Larry Rougas, vice president of marketing and product planning for the mobile business group at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.

“It aggregates compatible portable personal devices -- whether it’s an iPod, an MP3 player or Bluetooth cell phone -- and links them all together without having to completely change out the car’s entire factory audio system. And with VoiceBox technology, which goes beyond fixed voice commands, the use of these devices in the car is more convenient,” he added.

The AVIC-F500BT can operate as both a navigation device and as a media center for entertainment. It significantly enhances the audio experience in the car with its ability to accept portable devices with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection and/or music-filled SD memory cards.

A slot for both are available in the body of the unit which allows for quick connections of compatible MP3 or iPod music players as well as SD memory cards containing MP3 and Windows Media Audio (WMA) music data. When a device is plugged in, the AVIC-F500BT recognizes it as a source and controls it through its touch panel display and/or by voice control.

The AVIC-F500BT is the first aftermarket product in the industry to include the VoiceBox Conversational Voice Search Platform™, which allows users to control their Apple iPod players and Bluetooth enabled cell phones by voice. VoiceBox’s uniqueness lies in three areas: “conversational commands,” “intent recognition,” and the ability to handle noisy situations such as ambient vehicle noise and passenger conversations.

The system accepts different elements of spoken commands. The conversational element is its ability to analyze normal and varying phrases such as “I want to hear the artist U2” or “play U2” and the unit’s capability to play back songs by the specified artist.

Additional variables for iPod playback include artist name, album name, playlist name and music genre. Another element of “conversational” is in situations where the user “stumbles” while saying their command such as, “Play, um, um let’s see the album Joshua Tree.” The unit has the capacity to recognize the command from the phrase, eliminating the extra words so that it can perform the desired function.

As powerful as an in-dash navigation system, the AVIC-F500BT is complete with mapping data from Tele Atlas for the entire United States, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii. The 5.8-inch high-resolution WVGA screen shows mapping details with two view modes: overhead and moveable 3D. When a destination is input via touch screen, easy to follow step-by-step route guidance is displayed, followed by helpful audio prompts through the speakers in the car.

The system also employs a Text-to-Speech (TTS) engine to further enhance its assistance capabilities by pronouncing street names. For example, the unit instructs the driver ahead by announcing the command and name of the street, i.e., “turn right on Remington Street,” instead of simply prompting, “turn right ahead.”

The system also includes a massive database for points of interest (POI), helping users quickly find popular destinations such as gas stations, ATMs, hotels and restaurants that can be searched either near a current location, or close to a specified destination.

The AVIC-F500BT comes equipped with two additional key technologies: built-in Bluetooth for hands free calling, and MSN Direct services for traffic and data services.

For further convenience in navigation, traffic information provided by MSN Direct is available with a paid subscription. The AVIC-F500BT displays traffic information, weather forecasts, gas prices and movie times for up to 100 cities across the United States and Canada. At a glance, users can see updated road conditions on their local freeways. The first three months of the MSN Direct service are offered for free with the purchase of the AVIC-F500BT system. /pioneer-pr