Car Navigation and Mobile Navigation
Feb 09, 2022
Almost every driver questions the need to buy an embedded car navigation system from the manufacturer while he/she can easily use GPS and online maps on his/her portable device. Pew research confirms that around 80% of people (ages 18-29) are more likely to use a smartphone for navigation. However, in-car navigation has some powerful advantages over external devices.
Larger screen size and less glare
In-vehicle screen sizes range from the 5-inch/6-inch display on the standard model to the 17-inch display on the Tesla Model S. The problem with summer phones is that they can overheat and black out or reflect sunlight glare. In contrast, the resistive display of the embedded infotainment instrument panel is developed based on all external factors such as shaking, glare, heat, etc. of the car.
Stable GPS connection
A common concern among smartphone users is losing signal as they head in an unknown direction. With in-vehicle GPS devices, this is nearly impossible, as dedicated GPS receivers are better at receiving signals from GPS satellites around the Earth.
The latest offline and online 3D maps
In addition to accessing online maps, you can also use offline maps that contain accurate information thanks to automatic OTA updates. The close-to-reality experience of 3D maps is another benefit of embedded navigation.
Always active and ready to command
The dashboard-mounted navigation touchscreen doesn't drain as often as a smartphone battery. While there are already wireless charging pads based on the QI wireless charging standard, not all smartphones support it. Also, mobile phones are often prone to severe overheating in such pads. In this case, the USB cable does less damage to the battery, however, plugging in the smartphone while driving can lead to missed turns or other possible hazards.
Less distraction
Embedded car navigation is a complex system that can be integrated with all in-vehicle systems today. For example, when the navigation voice assistant notifies you to turn, the embedded system automatically mutes the music or the radio so the driver can hear and understand the information clearly.
Real-time traffic monitoring
With a radio data system, even if you lose your internet connection for some reason, you'll still receive updates about road conditions, including construction alerts, traffic updates, and more. However, the problem with TMC technology is that it is not available in all European countries, while in the US and Canada the service is charged.
