GPS Vendors
Garmin is a leading provider of GPS navigation systems and technology. The company manufactures GPS systems for both the consumer electronics market and the aviation industry. Garmin GPS systems are used for in-car navigation, avionics, boating, fishing and for other recreational purposes.
TomTom is company based in Netherlands, now operating in over 16 countries. The company specializes in providing navigation software and GPS devices for the PDAs and Pocket PCs market. The company is also a dominant player in the in-car GPS market with the TomTom GO series of user friendly portable car navigation systems. TomTom also provides mobile GPS solutions for the smart phones industry.
Thales is a leading provider of GPS systems for both professional and consumer market segments. It consumer product range is marketed under the brand name Magellan while its professional solutions are marketed under the brand name of Thales Navigation. In the consumer segment, Thales provide GPS solutions for automotive and recreational markets. In the professional segment, Thales provide surveying, GIS/Mapping and OEM products.
Magellan is the consumer product brand of Thales Navigation (see above).
Trimble provides integrated GPS navigation solutions.
Lowrance is a dominant player in the manufacturing of high quality sports finishing sonar systems. The company has also made its mark in the development of marine, outdoor, aviation and automotive GPS solutions as well as OEM products.
From its humble origins as enterprise in a New Zeeland garage, Navman has grown to become a global company that is in the forefront of GPS technology. Navman provides GPS solutions for marine, in-car, wireless, sporting and commercial use.
ALT Technologies is just more than provider of GPS navigation systems. ALK provides routing, mileage and mapping solutions for shipping companies, private fleet and logistics companies. The company also provides decision support systems for major US railways. In addition the company provides container tracking and management systems for ocean transportation companies and barge operators.
Cobra had its reputation as a leading manufacturer of GMRS/FRS two-way radio, radar detector technology. But now cobra has made an innovative entry into the marine and mobile GPS navigation markets.
Originally an Atlas publisher, DeLorme has become a pioneer in the area of GPS mapping software and technologies for both professional and consumer markets. DeLorme’s expertise in the field of mapping software and geographic information systems has give the company a competitive advantage in the GPS industry. The company has a wide range of GPS solutions for laptops, Palm PCs and Pocket PCs, as well as handheld GPS units.
Pharos Science and Applications Inc
Pharos is a leader in street navigation, specializing in GPS solutions for Pocket PC based PDA systems. The company also provides GPS solutions for the aerospace industry. The company has developed guidance and control technologies for the NASA space shuttle program.
FineDigital is a provider of in-car and personal navigations solutions for the consumer market segment. The company provides bundled integrated GPS solutions that can be used straight out of the box.
Microsoft has GPS solutions for laptops. There flagship GPS software are Microsoft Streets & Trips (2006) and AutoRoute (2006).
Mio provides PDA and personal GPS navigation systems for the consumer market.
OnStar is a division of General Motors that provides a number of safety and security services for car equipped with OnStar systems. Example of such services include unlocking you car if you have lost the keys, 24hr road side assistance, track stolen vehicles, providing driving directions etc. OnStar use GPS technology to support it services.
Consumer electronics giant Pioneer is also involved in manufacturing street navigation GPS system for automobiles.
Consumer electronics giant Sony is also involved in manufacturing street navigation GPS system for automobiles.
TeleNav provides GPS street navigation solutions for users of mobile phones, Blackberry wireless devices, Palm Treo and Windows Mobile Phone devices. TeleNav is a subscriptions based service that can work with various mobile phone network carrier services such as Verizon, Nextel, Cingular etc.
Tripod is a subsidiary of Trimble. The company specializes in developing software systems for land surveying and construction. The company also produces software and hardware for mobile computing applications. One of notable products from Tripod is rugged handled computers that can be used in extreme environmental and weather conditions.
Provides various wireless and GPS solutions.