At Telematics Munich today, INRIX®, the leading provider of traffic and driver services, launched XD™ Traffic, a new premium real-time and predictive traffic service optimized for the delivery of next generation connected navigation and driver services applications in the car, on mobile devices and online. INRIX also announced Ford Motor Company will adopt XD Traffic in the U.S. across all SYNC-equipped vehicles in 2011.
XD Traffic is the most accurate real-time and predictive traffic service available in Europe and North America. Through INRIX’s unique combination of patented technologies, sophisticated analytics and development expertise, XD Traffic powers the delivery of new traffic-enabled apps and experiences that make navigation indispensible.
“Just as THX® cinema surround sound revolutionized how we experience film, XD Traffic will transform how we navigate our world,”” said INRIX CEO Bryan Mistele. “XD Traffic delivers a service that breaks through quality barriers offering automakers and navigation providers with the premium traffic information and toolset required to deliver navigation applications for the daily driver.”
Key Benefits of XD Traffic include:
• Extraordinary Apps. XD Traffic’s accuracy and reliability powers automakers and navigation providers delivery of next generation driver services including:
o Busy Commuter™. More than just real-time traffic information displayed on a map, XD Traffic fuels better navigation solutions for the everyday driver. XD Traffic powered apps will always know the faster route, best time to leave, travel time and ETA. Besides commuters, XD Traffic adds value to apps for all drivers whether they’re conducting sales calls, making deliveries or just running holiday errands.
o Real-Time Speed Predictions & Traffic Forecasts. Only XD Traffic uses dynamic prediction models instead of historical data to provide a reliable snapshot of current traffic speeds when real-time data density is low or anomalies are detected. XD Traffic predictions go beyond historical models and their assumptions factoring in traffic speeds, weather conditions, school schedules and local events (sporting events, concerts, etc.) to deliver reliable traffic forecasts.
o Traffic Ahead. Like x-ray vision, XD Traffic continuously monitors traffic conditions along drivers’ routes identifying traffic incidents with pinpointing accuracy. Whether it’s an unexpected road closure or just a minor fender bender slowing things down, XD-powered apps alert drivers according to their preferences helping them avoid unexpected delays.
o Friend Ahead. XD Traffic easily connects with available 3rd party Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for linking drivers to information they care about such as social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare. Drivers can be alerted when friends are close by and determine the best way to meet up.
• Extreme Accuracy. XD Traffic travel speeds are accurate within 5 mph of actual travel speeds 90 percent of the time. It is the first service to fuse agency, journalistic and community-based incident data to deliver more timely alerts, better routes and more accurate travel times and ETAs. As INRIX processes hundreds of thousands of data points from hundreds of sources every minute to update traffic information to our customers every 60 seconds, XD Traffic leverages INRIX’s patented SpeedWaves™ technology to improve accuracy of traffic speeds on arterials and secondary roads by up to 70 percent. Beyond traditional ground truth testing, INRIX has developed F.A.S.T. (Fully Automated Speed Testing) to achieve continuous real-time analysis of our traffic information and travel times 24 hours a day 7 days a week. INRIX F.A.S.T. is a form of learning AI (artificial intelligence) that continuously examines planned vs. actual outcomes to improve route guidance, travel time predictions and ETAs.
• Exceptional Coverage Quality. INRIX’s continuously expanding crowd-sourced network covers more roads in more cities and countries than any other high definition traffic service. Rolling out across all 20 INRIX markets by the end of 2011, XD Traffic initially covers more than 450,000 miles/720,000 km of highways, motorways, arterials, city streets and secondary roads across Europe and North America with the best real-time and predictive traffic information available.
• Expedites Development. Optimized for INRIX’s patent-pending TPEG Connect™ delivery channel, XD Traffic opens up new possibilities for delivering much richer traffic information and driver services in the car and on mobile devices. The INRIX DevZone offers XD Traffic customers access to hundreds of APIs and sample code libraries including resources for tapping into all dimensions of customers’ lives including their contacts, calendars and social networks to deliver personalized commute alerts, route preferences, travel itineraries and new opportunities to connect to places and persons of interest along the way.
The XD Traffic Mark of Quality
Today’s navigation apps come in many shapes and forms, ranging from simple color-coded traffic maps or in-car navigation systems to traffic, speed trap and “social driving” apps on GPS smartphones and other devices. However, the quality of the traffic information powering these solutions varies greatly depending on the provider, delivery method and type of device. The majority of vehicle and mobile navigation systems on the market today are designed to use basic, often limited traffic information like congestion and crash alerts for presenting traffic conditions to drivers. As a result, providers often miscalculate routes, travel times and ETAs as well as miss important road closures or other traffic impacting events.
Until now, automakers and navigation providers have been reluctant to introduce new, more useful traffic-powered solutions over concerns of reliability and customer satisfaction. XD Traffic makes much richer traffic information available, including actual speeds on every road segment in the road network. Instead of broadcasting the same traffic data to millions of consumers and professionals, XD Traffic is designed to deliver highly personalized traffic data using GPRS/GSM cellular connectivity and the Internet for PCs.
A Trusted Brand
INRIX also is introducing a branding program to help customers differentiate their traffic-powered solutions from competitors and boost value with consumers. The XD Traffic badge can be used in applications, advertising, on packaging and at point of sale giving consumers a recognizable seal of quality they can rely on the help them save time, money and use less fuel every day.
XD Traffic is available immediately for INRIX partners and customers to incorporate into their applications and devices. To learn more about XD Traffic, go to inrix.com to register for a free webinar planned for November 17, 2010 where INRIX Vice President of Product Management Ken Kranseler and VP of Marketing Scott Sedlik will provide a detailed overview of the service and the exciting new types of applications it makes possible.
