Becker Introduces the Crocodile at IFA Berlin - Extravagant Finish, Optimized for Outdoor Use

KARLSBAD, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Traffic Assist 100 from Becker, a Harman/Becker Automotive Systems GmbH brand, will be officially launched at the IFA 2008 consumer electronics show in Berlin. Known under the pseudonym "Crocodile", the product has attracted considerable attention long before the IFA start. Indeed, the water-resistant mobile navigation system has created quite a stir with its unique appearance and variety of uses. On the technical side, the Traffic Assist 100 scores points with fast route calculation, an integrated 2 GB memory with pre-loaded data for 42 countries, 3-D Terrain View and 3-D City View with crystal-clear images. The Becker Crocodile features menus and text-to-speech instructions in 28 languages to safely guide user to their destinations. With a price tag of around €300.00, the Becker Crocodile will be available on the market in October 2008.

Classy design, inspired by nature

Despite its rugged look, the Becker Crocodile with its stylized reptile-skin finish has a distinctly classy appeal. The water-resistant surface material and organic, tapered design feels good in the hand. Highlights include the minimalist screen design with subdued colour scheme and focus on driver-essential details.

Modern technology in a crocodile coat

The Becker Crocodile is based on the Becker Traffic Assist Z 201. Although the rubber-coated, water resistant version can also be used in a car, it is ideally suited for motorbikes. The crystal-clear 4.3 inch widescreen colour display with day and night view features an ingenious graphic guidance system that makes it easier for bikers to read the display in low visibility conditions with a closed visor. On most navigation systems, the turn-by-turn display only appears as a partial view on the map. With the Becker Crocodile, a light tap on the display switches from map to full-screen, high-contrast arrow navigation. Additional information is provided via screen icons as needed, e.g. when entering a motorway. Features including the Lane Info function for safe lane selection on multilane roads, realistic motorway traffic signs and visual/acoustic warning signals for speed limits have been carried over from the precursor model.

Convenience contributes to safety

The map display is clearly arranged and easy on the eyes. The Terrain View display opens up to the horizon in brilliant image quality and is especially helpful when driving over hilly terrain or on winding roads. For better orientation in cities, buildings are displayed as 3-D models. This makes it easier to follow the directions for the next turn. Orientation is also enhanced by more than 1,000 photorealistic 3-D images of European landmarks, including the Reichstag Building in Berlin.

The easy-to-use Becker Crocodile is operated via touch-screen with a quick and intuitive menu interface. Destination entry is also quick and easy with a smart speller function. Route options are entered via clearly-arranged menus. Alternatives include car, lorry, pedestrian or motorbike mode. Four different routes can be calculated simultaneously and selected via buttons on the right hand side of the screen. Within a fraction of a second, fast, short, optimal and easy routes are highlighted in colour on the map. Icons on the screen can be used to select the desired route and obtain information on travel time and distance.

The integrated route planner comes in handy for longer journeys. It enables the driver to compile complete routes by entering intermediate destinations from the extensive selection of POIs (points of interest), by adding destinations already visited, or by entering addresses directly.

The Becker Crocodile is optimized for international use and is supplied with Navteq data for 42 European countries. It also communicates in 28 languages and, in some cases, different voices.

The Travel Assistant offers a number of handy tools including national telephone codes, a calculator and a world clock. On-the-road entertainment is provided by a collection of electronic games.

The Becker Crocodile comes standard with a universal suction cup mounting system, a power cable for the cigarette lighter, a TMC dipole antenna and a USB cable for connecting to a PC. A specially designed mounting system for the Becker Crocodile is available for bikes.

Harman/Becker Automotive Systems GmbH

Harman/Becker Automotive Systems GmbH is a subsidiary of Harman International Industries Inc. based in the USA (Washington). Becker has gained an international reputation in the automotive industry and aftermarket with innovations in car audio systems, infotainment, vehicle navigation, telematics and integrated multimedia systems. Other Harman/Becker milestones include video processing, digital TV tuner technology and MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport), the standard for in-car multimedia solutions. The company is strengthening its position as an innovation leader in the market with state-of-the-art manufacturing processes.