Tele Atlas Forms JV in Taiwan

Tele Atlas (The Netherlands) has announced a joint venture with Systems and Technology Corporation (S&T) to form Tele Atlas Taiwan Co., Ltd., an independent entity focused on delivering a complete digital map of the territory for portable, Internet, in-car and wireless navigation systems and applications.

Tele Atlas Taiwan also unveiled its first mobile mapping van in the Asia Pacific region in the heart of downtown Taipei.

Formed in 1987, S&T is recognised for delivering automatic vehicle location systems that track mobile assets and producing high quality digital maps of Taiwan. The S&T map database includes 100 percent coverage of the area's street network, covering more than 100,000 kilometres and 95,000 POIs.

As part of the agreement, Tele Atlas Taiwan will assume all mapping assets of S&T, including the existing mapping business that produces navigable maps and the data production operation for government and other projects. Tele Atlas Taiwan will also integrate Tele Atlas' most advanced map updating processes into its operations, including data captured from its newly deployed mobile mapping van. Through its roof-mounted 360 degree cameras and laser sensors, the van quickly and efficiently captures information about a road including lane counts, speed limits, and other data, giving Tele Atlas the information it requires to regularly update its maps. The van also collects images of streets, storefronts, road signs, and complex intersections that can be incorporated in maps to help users more easily find locations.