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BizMaps enables voice-based navigation
Thursday, May 03 2001
by Matthew Clark


BizMaps and Voxpilot announced the completion of a Dublin City pilot to
demonstrate turn by turn driving directions through a voice-user interface over a
mobile phone.

According to BizMaps, an Irish company, voice navigation services are predicted
to be a major application of the wireless Internet.



The technology, named BizMaps DirectionFinder, allows users to call a telephone
number, state a street name and destination address, and receive voice directions
to reach the destination. DirectionFinder was launched Wednsday at e-XPO in
Dublin.  



Pat Donnelly, managing director, BizMaps, said, "Driving directions are a
natural fit for voice technology, providing a service that consumers will find
convenient and useful to their everyday lives - helping drivers find  where
they need to go without having to take their hands off the wheel."



The new product is the result of a merger between exisiting technologies
developed by both companies. Voxpilot's XML/VoiceXML SpeechSuite technology and
voice service-hosting in conjunction with BizMaps RouteFinder have made this new
application possible.





According to BizMaps, the company has compiled information on all routes in
Ireland and created a software application that calculates the most direct
driving route between two locations. 



In addition, the service allows walking or driving, current traffic conditions,
and it takes into account one way street, illegal turns, and other traffic
hindrances.



Both companies expect the technology to be a value-added service for ISPs and
mobile operators.



The company was launched in June of 2000 and is at www.bizmaps.ie. In November of
2000 BizMaps worked in conjunction with Eircell in the launch of a direction
finder service providing turn-by-turn street directions from Eircell's WAP
portal.