Navigon

Navigon was a German navigation-technology company and brand best known for personal navigation devices, mobile navigation applications, and software supplied to automotive and other original-equipment manufacturers. The business was founded in 1991 and was headquartered in Würzburg, Germany. It developed during the expansion of satellite navigation from specialist and automotive applications into consumer electronics, competing in Europe with brands such as TomTom and Garmin and later adapting its products for smartphones. A significant early milestone came in 2000, when Navigon introduced navigation software for Microsoft’s Pocket PC platform. This helped establish the company in software-based navigation before smartphone navigation became mainstream. In 2002, Navigon added Traffic Message Channel-based traffic-avoidance functionality to a consumer GPS product, positioning the brand around route guidance supplemented by live or broadcast traffic information rather than simple map display alone. Its product portfolio subsequently combined dedicated portable navigation devices, navigation software platforms, map services, traffic functions, and location-based points of interest. Navigon initially focused primarily on Europe, where it became one of the larger GPS brands and also sold selected older products under the Transonic name. The company expanded directly into North America in 2004 through Navigon Inc., based initially in Chicago. The North American operation adapted the European product range, established an OEM relationship with EasyPocketNAV.com, and later launched dedicated consumer devices including the 2100, 5100, and 7100 families. Features promoted in that market included Reality View visualizations for complicated motorway interchanges, traffic information, Zagat Survey ratings and reviews, and Direct Help functions. Navigon also maintained operations and commercial relationships in Asia and other international markets. The company received outside capital in 2005 when General Atlantic acquired a minority interest, while Peter Scheufen retained majority ownership according to the referenced account. In 2006, Navigon acquired Navteq’s navigation-software business, strengthening its software capabilities and relationship with digital mapping technology. Navigon’s maps were supplied by Navteq, while users could report map problems through Navteq-related reporting tools. The company also explored crowdsourced geographic information, introducing a point-of-interest package derived from OpenStreetMap in 2011. Navigon withdrew from the North American personal-navigation-device business in 2009, citing difficult economic conditions and aggressive pricing. It stated that North American activity would continue in automotive and mobile-phone businesses, although the Chicago office was subsequently closed. After the withdrawal, the company’s North American consumer offering centered on applications for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone rather than dedicated GPS hardware. The MobileNavigator application and related regional applications brought turn-by-turn navigation to smartphones and supported features such as live traffic warnings and dynamic rerouting. Garmin announced its intention to acquire Navigon in June 2011 and confirmed completion of the acquisition in July 2011. Navigon thereafter operated within Garmin, and its legal form changed from an Aktiengesellschaft to a GmbH effective October 31, 2011. Garmin later retired the standalone Navigon application business: most Navigon and Garmin turn-by-turn navigation applications were removed from sale in May 2018, with the Telekom Edition scheduled for removal in June of that year. On December 1, 2020, Garmin announced the discontinuation of Navigon products and customer service. The brand is therefore no longer an active standalone consumer-navigation business.

Navigon was established in Germany in 1991 and developed navigation technology during a period when satellite positioning was moving from specialist and automotive systems into consumer products. Its early work emphasized software as well as hardware. In 2000, the company introduced navigation software for Pocket PCs, making voice-guided route planning available on a Microsoft mobile-computing platform. In 2002, it added Traffic Message Channel-based traffic avoidance to a consumer GPS product, an important differentiator as buyers increasingly expected navigation systems to respond to congestion rather than simply calculate a static route. The company built its strongest market presence in Europe, where Navigon became one of the larger GPS brands. It sold dedicated portable navigation devices under the Navigon name and some earlier European models under the Transonic name. The portfolio included multiple generations of devices with different screen sizes and feature sets, together with software for automotive, wireless, and other OEM applications. In 2004, Navigon expanded directly into North America by creating Navigon Inc. in Chicago. The subsidiary was initially led by Edgar Christen and sought to adapt the company’s European technology and products for the American, Canadian, Mexican, and South American markets. Navigon’s North American expansion included an OEM agreement with EasyPocketNAV.com in 2004. The arrangement involved OnCourse Navigator software based on Navigon technology and designed to turn Microsoft-powered Pocket PCs into voice-guided navigation systems. The company later strengthened its American management: Andreas Hecht became senior vice president and general manager for the Americas in 2006, and president and general manager in 2007. In July 2007, Navigon introduced the 2100, 5100, and 7100 in North America. These devices promoted features such as Reality View, which presented computer-generated images of complex highway interchanges, traffic information under the Lifetime Traffic proposition, and Zagat Survey ratings and reviews. The 2100 Max, introduced in 2008, added a larger 4.3-inch display and Direct Help functionality. The business attracted external investment in 2005, when General Atlantic acquired a minority stake to support expansion. Peter Scheufen remained the majority owner according to the referenced historical account. In 2006, Navigon acquired Navteq’s navigation-software business. Navteq also supplied maps used by Navigon products, and map corrections could be submitted through Navteq-related reporting services. Navigon continued to extend its information layer, including a 2011 points-of-interest package based on data from OpenStreetMap. The North American hardware strategy proved difficult. In May 2009, Navigon announced that it would cease sales of personal navigation devices in North America, attributing the decision to the challenging economic environment and aggressive pricing. The company said that its Chicago office would continue supporting automotive and mobile-phone businesses, but the office was later closed. Consumer activity in the region shifted toward applications for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone 7. The MobileNavigator application, together with regional applications such as Navigon Europe, Navigon USA, and traffic4all, extended the brand into smartphone turn-by-turn navigation. Traffic Live supported warnings about congestion and dynamic route adjustment. Garmin announced in June 2011 that it would acquire Navigon and confirmed completion of the transaction on July 26, 2011. Following the acquisition, Navigon became part of Garmin and its legal entity changed from an Aktiengesellschaft to a GmbH effective October 31, 2011. Garmin eventually reduced and then ended the standalone Navigon offering. Most Navigon applications were removed from sale in May 2018, with the Telekom Edition scheduled for removal the following month. On December 1, 2020, Garmin announced the discontinuation of Navigon products and customer service. Navigon consequently remains a historically significant navigation brand but is no longer an active standalone business.

• 2020

  Navigon products and customer service are discontinued

  [1]Navigonen.wikipedia.org

  Garmin announces the end of the remaining Navigon product and support operations.

• 2018

  Most Navigon applications leave the market

  [1]Navigonen.wikipedia.org

  Garmin removes most Navigon turn-by-turn applications from sale.

• 2011

  Garmin completes acquisition

  [1]Navigonen.wikipedia.org

  Garmin completes its acquisition of Navigon, which subsequently changes its legal form to GmbH.

• 2009

  North American PND sales are discontinued

  [1]Navigonen.wikipedia.org

  Navigon withdraws from North American sales of dedicated personal navigation devices.

• 2007

  North American device range launches

  [1]Navigonen.wikipedia.org

  Navigon launches the 2100, 5100, and 7100 models in North America.

• 2006

  Navteq navigation-software business is acquired

  [1]Navigonen.wikipedia.org

  Navigon acquires Navteq’s navigation-software business.

• 2005

  General Atlantic takes a minority stake

  [1]Navigonen.wikipedia.org

  General Atlantic invests in Navigon to support expansion.

• 2004

  Navigon enters North America

  [1]Navigonen.wikipedia.org

  Navigon Inc. is formed in Chicago to market and adapt Navigon products for the Americas.

• 2002

  Traffic Message Channel avoidance is introduced

  [1]Navigonen.wikipedia.org

  Navigon adds TMC-based traffic-avoidance functionality to a consumer GPS product.

• 2000

  Pocket PC navigation software launches

  [1]Navigonen.wikipedia.org

  Navigon introduces navigation software for the Pocket PC platform.

• 1991

  Navigon is founded

  [1]Navigonen.wikipedia.org

  The German navigation-technology company is established.

Feature-rich satellite navigation combining dedicated GPS hardware, route-planning software, traffic avoidance, digital maps, and mobile applications.

• Portable GPS navigation devices

  Navigon personal navigation devices

  Navigon’s dedicated GPS devices provided turn-by-turn route guidance, map display, voice instructions, and, on selected models, traffic information and enhanced junction visualization. European and North American ranges used related but not always identical model numbering. Notable families included the 2100, 5100, 7100, 2100 Max, and later models marketed with traffic and assistance features.

• Mobile navigation software

  MobileNavigator

  MobileNavigator was Navigon’s turn-by-turn navigation application line for smartphones. It brought the brand’s route guidance, maps, voice navigation, and traffic-related functions to platforms including iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. Regional versions included Navigon Europe and Navigon USA, while the application strategy became especially important after Navigon withdrew from North American dedicated-device sales.

• Traffic-information service

  Navigon Traffic Live

  Traffic Live was a live-traffic capability associated with Navigon’s mobile navigation offering. It was designed to warn users about congestion ahead and support dynamic rerouting, extending Navigon’s earlier use of traffic information beyond broadcast TMC services.

• Navigation visualization feature · 2007

  Reality View

  Reality View displayed computer-generated static representations of complex motorway and Interstate interchanges. The feature was promoted in Navigon’s North American product launches as a way to make difficult junction decisions easier to interpret than a conventional map view.

• Location content · 2011

  Navigon points-of-interest package

  Introduced in 2011, this package used points-of-interest information derived from the crowdsourced OpenStreetMap project. It supplemented the underlying digital maps with location data for navigation and local search.

• 2020

  Discontinue Navigon products and customer serviceStrategy

  Background

  After Garmin had integrated the company and reduced the standalone application portfolio, the Navigon brand no longer represented an active independent product line.

  Action taken

  Garmin announced on December 1 that Navigon products and customer service would be discontinued.

  Aftermath

  Navigon ceased to operate as an active consumer navigation brand.

  Source

• 2018

  Remove most Navigon navigation applications from saleStrategy

  Background

  Garmin was rationalizing its portfolio of turn-by-turn navigation applications.

  Action taken

  Garmin removed Navigon, Navigon Regions, and Navigon Cruiser from the market in May 2018; the Navigon select Telekom Edition was scheduled for removal in June.

  Aftermath

  The standalone Navigon app business was effectively closed, apart from limited Garmin HUD applications at that time.

  Source

• 2011

  Sell Navigon to GarminM&A

  Background

  Navigon was a privately held navigation provider operating across dedicated devices, software, mobile applications, and automotive-related markets.

  Action taken

  Garmin announced the acquisition in June and completed the purchase of Navigon AG in July 2011.

  Aftermath

  Navigon became a Garmin subsidiary, and its legal entity changed from an Aktiengesellschaft to a GmbH effective October 31, 2011.

  Source

• 2009

  Withdraw from North American personal-navigation-device salesStrategy

  Background

  Navigon faced a difficult economic environment and aggressive pricing in the North American personal navigation device market.

  Action taken

  The company stopped selling dedicated consumer GPS devices in North America while stating that automotive and mobile-phone activities would continue.

  Aftermath

  The North American consumer portfolio shifted toward mobile applications. The Chicago office was subsequently closed, according to the referenced account.

  Source

1. 1Navigonen.wikipedia.org