Star Wings navigation system goes commercial

Sharon

Sharon Gill

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24th July 2008

The new Nissan Teana sedan offers a smart route-guidance navigation system as a standard feature on the 3.5L model and as an optional feature on the 2.5L model for customers in Beijing.

This navigation system plots the shorted possible route to a destination based on real-time probe data collected from Beijing taxicabs. Beijing has the world's most comprehensive probe data system.

Nissan and BTIC plan to collaborate on expanding the navigation service to other cities in China as well as on future technology upgrades.

Another collaborative effort includes research into a PND for consumers. PNDs fitted in 200 taxis will be used to monitor the usage of traffic information for a two-month period to better address customer needs. The PNDs also are scheduled to be provided for the Olympic Games' staff vehicles.

Jointly administered by BTIC, Nissan, Beijing University of Technology and Hiroshima University, the Star Wings project simulated traffic flow using information on drivers' behaviour coupled with real-time traffic information for Beijing.

According to the modelling results, with a 30% utilisation rate of the navigation system, the use of less congested routes could reduce the average commute time by up to 16% and CO₂ emissions by up to 27%.