THE FREEDOM OF THE ROAD

• Traffic patterns – optimised congestion avoidance
• Becker OneShot voice-activated controls – enter your destination in one sentence
• Hands-free bluetooth with address book feature
• Extended POIs with alternative fuel stations and camp sites
• Maps of 42 countries pre-installed in a 4GB “embedded flash”

Karlsbad/Cologne - April 2009. At the 2009 Car & Sound 2009 Becker, a brand of Harman/Becker Automotive Systems GmbH, is making its presence felt with three new-generation mobile navigation systems and its continued emphasis on innovation with landmark features. Becker presents the mid and upper range Z203 und Z204 and the top-of-the-range Traffic Assist Z205, marking the peak of the company’s new product portfolio. The Z204 und Z205 feature the ground-breaking "Becker OneShot Voice Control“ feature allowing users to enter the destination in one sentence. The system is based on the Harman/Becker Technology which has been successfully incorporated into high-end factory-installed car navigation devices. A further highlight of all three devices is Navteq Traffic Patterns for optimum congestion avoidance. This factors known areas of congestion into the route calculations and suggests alternative routes at the time. All the devices use TMC, with the Becker Traffic Assist Z 205 using the more accurate TMC Pro. Additionally, functions such as 3D Landmarks, 3D City Models, 3D Terrain View, Split Screen and Lane Info provide better overview and orientation.
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Just say where you want to go!
Harman/Becker has re-defined voice activation for PNDs with the "Becker OneShot Voice Control“. For the first time, Traffic Assist Z204 and Z205 incorporate an outstanding voice recognition system previously reserved only for the high-end inbuilt SatNav systems used by the car industry. It allows users to enter the complete destination address in one go – for instance,  "KARLSBAD, BADHAUSWEG 5". This greatly speeds up destination entry, and is much safer and simpler. When combined with another street name, it allows the target area to be pinpointed more closely Speech recognition is enhanced by excellent filtering systems that effectively reduce road and ambient sound and enhance reliability even further. Becker SatNav devices allow voice destination input in German, English, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese and French.
You can also enter the destination in the conventional way using a touchpad keyboard or, if you know them, the geographical coordinates. There is a destination memory for frequently used destinations, allowing you to give certain destinations easy-to-remember names.

Keep moving with Traffic Patterns
A further highlight of all three devices is Navteq Traffic Patterns for optimum congestion avoidance. In addition to TMC traffic reports – such as Traffic Assist Z205 TMC Pro for more accurate congestion information - all Becker Sat Navs feature historical traffic flow data for dynamic re-routing. This means that you can plan your route in even greater detail and calculate your arrival time more accurately, depending on the time and the day of the week. A further advantage is that Navteq Traffic Patterns also factors in areas of likely rush-hour congestion in built-up areas and on main roads. This allows commuters, fleet drivers and emergency services to optimally avoid areas of heavy traffic. Traffic Patterns are stored along with the navigation data, and cover over 300,000 kilometres of road and over 80 percent of the most heavily used roads in major centres of congestion in Germany and Great Britain.
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Now with alternative fuel stations, camp sites and hotel guide
An additional 30,000 POIs (Points of Interest) means additional advantages for drivers and travellers using Becker in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The new systems not only guide you reliably through 42 European countries, but in Germany, Austria and Switzerland can also guide you safely to the nearest biofuel or autogas station. Campers and caravanners are also spoiled for choice, with over 6,000 recommended camping and caravan sites. What is more, the POI finder can bring up more than 13,000 hotels (with telephone numbers) en route. For business travellers, the device also stores over 6,000 "hot-spot" addresses for the piloting service, which can be used to bring you directly to your destination. Further notable features are the additional extras, such as traffic camera warnings or night pharmacies that can be uploaded on to the 4 GB internal memory and which are displayed on screen in the form of an icon.

Top-of-the-range features
There is hardly any other area in which Becker’s new trio of devices can be beaten. For example, there’s a Sirf III/-GPS-receiver for reliable satellite signal reception, the "text-to-speech" tells you exactly when to turn off, and the right street name is always ready. The hands-free profile with Bluetooth lets you use your mobile phone on the road. Up to 20 mobile phones can be connected to and simply managed with Becker sat navs. In addition to that, functions such as 3D Landmarks, 3D City Models, 3D Terrain View, Split Screen and Lane Info give a clear overview. "Lane info“ helps drivers when changing lanes, and "real signposts" give prior warning of motorway junctions with almost 4,000 true-to-life motorway signs. Becker sat navs can also be equipped with extensive multimedia features. For example, the memory card can be used to play slide shows, to watch MPEG video clips, or to listen to MP3-quality music.
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The “Skin-touch” touch response system of the new Becker generation is heightened by the slim elegance of the devices, and its user-friendliness helps you to reach your destination in greater safety.
A further service offered by Becker is the “45 day map update guarantee”. This is a guarantee to customers that the maps will be updated for a small fee if a new update comes out within 45 days of purchase.
The standard package includes a universal cradle with suction pad, active car cradle, a cigarette lighter connector with an integrated TMC aerial and a USB cable for connection to a PC.

The new generation of Becker navigation systems can be obtained from Becker outlets from May 2009, just in time for the holidays. Prices range from GBP 249 for the Becker Traffic Assist Z203, GBP 269 for the Becker Traffic Assist Z204 and GBP 299 for the top of the range Traffic Assist Z205.

Press contact:
Olaf Kappler 
Product marketing
Becker Brand
Tel. +49(0)7248/71- 1258
Fax.  +49(0)7248/71- 1225
E-Mail: olaf.kappler@Harman.com
Web: www.myBecker.com

About Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH is a subsidiary of the US Harman International Industries Inc. (Washington). The Becker brand has a worldwide reputation with the car industry and in after-market products with its technical innovations in in-car entertainment, navigation systems, telematics and multimedia systems. Video processing, digital TV tuner technology and MOST (media Oriented Systems Transport) – the standard for automotive multimedia solutions – are further milestones made by Harman Becker. With its up-to-date manufacturing processes, the corporation has positioned itself as the leading innovator on the market.