MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: New Straits Times

With the escalating rate of car thefts, perhaps it is time for more than just a car alarm to keep those car thieves at bay. The recently-launched agisMonitor may just be the solution.

AgisMonitor is an intelligent personal vehicle monitoring system, which integrates global positioning systems (GPS), public telecommunications network and Agis' GPS-enabled maps. AgisMonitor also allows users to lock, unlock and immobilise their vehicle.

According to Peter L. Reeves, managing director for Asia Geographical Information Systems (M) Sdn Bhd, a two-way communication is also available with the device along with a history log up to 200 zones. In each zone, the average speed and maximum speed are given, hourly phone reports on the vehicle's locations, longtitude and latitude provide accurate locations.

These information would even be voice-enabled in a couple of months' time, according to Sunny Lim Yik Chye, chief operating officer for Agis Pte Ltd. This feature is not yet available because Agis wants to gauge the market acceptance first before offering other traditional features.

"As long as the vehicle is in Malaysia, the user can track the vehicle from wherever the user is since Celcom provides roaming capabilities," says Lim. The user can also make use of the full-colour screen display of the HP iPAQ to view an onscreen map which displays their vehicle location and destination real-time.

Others services include information on speed and direction of travel, while alerts are given when vehicle tampering occurs, and when ignition system is switched on. All these services and features are available only upon request from the users.

"The system is for people who value their properties," says Reeves. Besides, the transfer of the system to another vehicle can also be arranged.

However, since the device costs more than RM4,000 with an annual fee of RM480 for the services offered, the number of people who can afford to value their property in this fashion may be restricted to only luxury car owners.

In fact, Agis is currently in discussion with two luxury car agents to offer agisMonitor as a package deal.

At present, the service is only available for Celcom subscribers with HP iPAQs. With the GSM/Celcom-enabled HP iPAQ Pocket PC, users can track and secure their vehicles or communicate with the car thief, as well as employ navigational capabilities with the help of a trained staff at the call centre.

When asked if the system would be made available to subscribers of other network operators and those using other brands of pocket PCs, Reeves informs that there are no plans to do so at this point in time.

As for investment made in the development of the system, Agis refused to reveal the actual figures, but instead mentioned that it took them almost three years to develop the system. Lim adds that the system was tested extensively on HP iPAQ Pocket PC.