MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: New Straits Times

Manager Abdul Wahab Sulaiman said the company has held discussions with several carmakers, including Proton Holdings Bhd, on the Global Positioning System (GPS) it will develop with Beijing-based Geoway Information Tech Inc.

"We hope to roll out production by November and we expect to produce about 12,000 in the first year for Malaysia," he said after the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Technology Park Malaysia in Sungai Besi, Selangor, adding that Cilix has made an initial investment of RM3 million.

Abdul Wahab said the market for GPS is expected to grow to about US$60 billion (US$1 = RM3.80) by 2007.

Under the MOU, both companies will develop the hardware and software for the system. Cilix has started working on the digital map for the system.

Abdul Wahab said that although the price will be about RM1,500 for the installation and RM40 for the subscription, the company hopes to reduce it by half eventually.

Kuala Lumpur and other major cities in the country will be the main focus of the company which utilises three satellites to track the sensors for the cars.

Geoway’s Zhang Yang said the company aims to produce one million units in the first year although a car navigation system is already quite extensively used in China.

"Apart from government vehicles, police vehicles, taxis, the system is used widely in farming and agricultural activities," he said.