Becker Introduces the Crocodile at IFA Berlin - Extravagant Finish, Optimized for...

Becker Introduces the Crocodile at IFA Berlin - Extravagant Finish, Optimized for Outdoor Use

-- Functional design

-- Water resistant

-- 3-D Terrain View and 3-D City View for better orientation

-- turn-by-turn view optimized for motorbikes

-- Maps for 42 countries pre-loaded in 2 GB embedded flash memory
KARLSBAD, Germany--(Business Wire)--
The Traffic Assist 100 from Becker, a Harman/Becker Automotive
Systems GmbH brand, will be officially launched at the IFA 2008
consumer electronics show in Berlin. Known under the pseudonym
"Crocodile", the product has attracted considerable attention long
before the IFA start. Indeed, the water-resistant mobile navigation
system has created quite a stir with its unique appearance and variety
of uses. On the technical side, the Traffic Assist 100 scores points
with fast route calculation, an integrated 2 GB memory with pre-loaded
data for 42 countries, 3-D Terrain View and 3-D City View with
crystal-clear images. The Becker Crocodile features menus and
text-to-speech instructions in 28 languages to safely guide user to
their destinations. With a price tag of around EUR 300.00, the Becker
Crocodile will be available on the market in October 2008.

Classy design, inspired by nature

Despite its rugged look, the Becker Crocodile with its stylized
reptile-skin finish has a distinctly classy appeal. The
water-resistant surface material and organic, tapered design feels
good in the hand. Highlights include the minimalist screen design with
subdued colour scheme and focus on driver-essential details.

Modern technology in a crocodile coat

The Becker Crocodile is based on the Becker Traffic Assist Z 201.
Although the rubber-coated, water resistant version can also be used
in a car, it is ideally suited for motorbikes. The crystal-clear 4.3
inch widescreen colour display with day and night view features an
ingenious graphic guidance system that makes it easier for bikers to
read the display in low visibility conditions with a closed visor. On
most navigation systems, the turn-by-turn display only appears as a
partial view on the map. With the Becker Crocodile, a light tap on the
display switches from map to full-screen, high-contrast arrow
navigation. Additional information is provided via screen icons as
needed, e.g. when entering a motorway. Features including the Lane
Info function for safe lane selection on multilane roads, realistic
motorway traffic signs and visual/acoustic warning signals for speed
limits have been carried over from the precursor model.

Convenience contributes to safety

The map display is clearly arranged and easy on the eyes. The
Terrain View display opens up to the horizon in brilliant image
quality and is especially helpful when driving over hilly terrain or
on winding roads. For better orientation in cities, buildings are
displayed as 3-D models. This makes it easier to follow the directions
for the next turn. Orientation is also enhanced by more than 1,000
photorealistic 3-D images of European landmarks, including the
Reichstag Building in Berlin.

The easy-to-use Becker Crocodile is operated via touch-screen with
a quick and intuitive menu interface. Destination entry is also quick
and easy with a smart speller function. Route options are entered via
clearly-arranged menus. Alternatives include car, lorry, pedestrian or
motorbike mode. Four different routes can be calculated simultaneously
and selected via buttons on the right hand side of the screen. Within
a fraction of a second, fast, short, optimal and easy routes are
highlighted in colour on the map. Icons on the screen can be used to
select the desired route and obtain information on travel time and
distance.

The integrated route planner comes in handy for longer journeys.
It enables the driver to compile complete routes by entering
intermediate destinations from the extensive selection of POIs (points
of interest), by adding destinations already visited, or by entering
addresses directly.

The Becker Crocodile is optimized for international use and is
supplied with Navteq data for 42 European countries. It also
communicates in 28 languages and, in some cases, different voices.

The Travel Assistant offers a number of handy tools including
national telephone codes, a calculator and a world clock. On-the-road
entertainment is provided by a collection of electronic games.

The Becker Crocodile comes standard with a universal suction cup
mounting system, a power cable for the cigarette lighter, a TMC dipole
antenna and a USB cable for connecting to a PC. A specially designed
mounting system for the Becker Crocodile is available for bikes.

Harman/Becker Automotive Systems GmbH

Harman/Becker Automotive Systems GmbH is a subsidiary of Harman
International Industries Inc. based in the USA (Washington). Becker
has gained an international reputation in the automotive industry and
aftermarket with innovations in car audio systems, infotainment,
vehicle navigation, telematics and integrated multimedia systems.
Other Harman/Becker milestones include video processing, digital TV
tuner technology and MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport), the
standard for in-car multimedia solutions. The company is strengthening
its position as an innovation leader in the market with
state-of-the-art manufacturing processes.

Becker Brand
C. Volker Weber
Marketing Communications
Tel. +49 7248/71-1505
Fax. +49 7248/71-1225
E-mail: VWeber@HarmanBecker.com
Web: www.myBecker.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008