Interactive GPS allows motorists to warn others of police presence and cheap fuel

Dutch navigation company TomTom has unveiled a new satnav system that can update its maps in real-time for a number of different traffic conditions in order to help minimize time spent behind the wheel. The company unveiled the new device at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin this week, and plans to offer it in the Netherlands, UK, Germany, France and Switzerland in coming months.

Called the GO x40 LIVE series, the latest satnav system delivers dynamic navigation and route guidance that continuously adapts to changing road conditions on the fly. Stored within the system is a list of historical travel time information for every road, specified for every day of the week, at five minute intervals.

The new device works by comparing these figures with estimated figures calculated in real-time using information gathered from anonymous measurements of mobile phones moving through their networks, and reroutes a journey onto side roads if it predicts the alternate route will be quicker. For example, a large number of phones stationary on a busy highway is assumed to mean that many motorists are stuck there in a traffic jam.

It also connects to TomTom’s current High Definition (HD) Traffic service for more accurate and detailed live traffic information.

The feature list doesn’t end there, however, as the GO x40 LIVE GPS units allow individuals to update the maps with live information such as the locations of mobile police radar and cameras, as well as cheap fuel prices. Other motorists in the area can then be warned to slow down or to look out for the cheapest fuel stations. There’s also full voice-activated control and Bluetooth connectivity.

The GO x40 LIVE series is currently limited to the aforementioned European countries but there are plans to expand its network capability to other countries in the near future.