DENVER & MUNICH, Germany--Intermap Technologies Corp. today announced an agreement with Siemens VDO to jointly develop products to support emerging Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) applications. The development agreement brings together Siemens VDO, a leading provider of innovative automotive systems, and Intermap Technologies, a preeminent mapping company that is proactively creating a worldwide three-dimensional geospatial database called NEXTMap.

This agreement sets the stage for a synergistic relationship integrating Intermap's 3D road vector data, derived from the Company's highly accurate NEXTMap data, into Siemens VDO's map-based predictive automotive applications. Once developed, these applications will deliver functionality and on-board sensors that provide active safety within vehicles to reduce accidents and traffic fatalities.

"Intermap is excited about the opportunity this partnership brings to the table. As one of the world's leading international automotive electronics and mechatronic suppliers, Siemens VDO is an ideal partner for introducing this highly innovative technology," commented Dr. Manfred Krischke, European vice president and managing director of Intermap Technologies GmbH.

As part of the NEXTMap Europe program, Intermap will finish mapping Germany in early 4Q 2006 and the remainder of Western Europe by the end of 2007. The entire U.S. will be mapped concurrently with the European initiative and is scheduled for completion in 2008.

"The automotive industry is continuing its move to digital applications and, as we complete accurate 3D maps for Europe and the U.S., our comprehensive 3D road vector databases will enable future active safety, driver assistance, and navigation systems," commented Eric DesRoche, Intermap's senior vice president of strategic business development. "These databases will enable automotive electronics to predict what lies ahead and alert drivers of impending hazards. Advance predictions of road geometries will be an invaluable component of visualization devices, vehicle fuel performance enhancement systems, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)."


Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (10/5/2006)