New toys for the big boys

The Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) is not only a venue for modern and classic cars but also vehicles of the two-wheeled kind and after- market products targeting the car enthusiasts. Here are some of the interesting gadgets and machines to be unveiled at this year’s MIAS.

Segway to the future

Personal transporter brand Segway pioneered the concept of a sleek urban two-wheeled device designed to be used both indoors and outdoors with its various models and variants including the i2 and x2 models. Local transportation has never been so interesting and environmentally friendly with the use of these self-balancing and intelligent machines. The battery operated, totally wireless machine intuitively moves where your body tells it to.

Designed for urban commuting situations, the i2 series has a number of variants and other options that include a cargo-based model that allows add on accessories for cargo handling up to 30 pounds. Segway’s x2 series is designed to take you to various terrains like grass, gravel or dirt. It is Segway’s off-roader version and with its deeply treaded tires, scratch resistant fenders and higher ground clearance, the x2 gives you a smooth, stable ride, and the durability you’ve come to expect from Segway. And with the unmatched performance of Segway’s LeanSteer technology, your body will anticipate and conquer the trail ahead.

As the brand leader in two-wheeled electric mobility, Segway’s vision is to produce environmentally friendly short-distance transportation alternatives that are purely-electric and serves as an eco-friendly alternative for many of the short journeys that are typically made by car. The Segway personal transporters have many benefits for the environment—less gas money, it’s easier to park, and less wear on your car. It helps reduce the impact of global warming by reducing our greenhouse gas output and consumption of imported fossil fuels.

Navigation products, accessories

Special deals await visitors who visit the CarNAVi exhibition booth as they will display their full line up of portable navigation products and accessories. Portable GPS navigation brand CarNAVi is slated to unveil its latest model, the S400 as the latest in professional navigation solutions at the MIAS.

With its ultra slim profile, the S400 is equipped with the latest Dual Core GPS Galileo receiver and a larger 4.3-inch touch screen and is incorpoated with multimedia functions like MP3 and audio/video functions. Aside from this, it will also unveil its CarNAVi PRO TV, a navigational tool that comes with an entertainment package including a large 5-inch touch screen, SiRF Dual Core GPS/Galileo processor, Bluetooth hands-free system and an integrated analog TV.

CarNAVi has one of the most updated mapping systems in the country covering some 120,000km of roads in the entire country including default points of interest like restaurants, gasoline stations and over 40,000 buildings. It also offers additional maps covering countries in SE Asia and other parts of the world that are downloadable free of charge in the CarNAVi online store.

Garmin unveils hottest gadget

Another GPS device brand Garmin—a globally trusted provider of global positioning system (GPS) devices has also literally planted its virtual flag in the Philippines with the introductory launch of the Garmin Nuvi model. “The Philippines ranks number one in Asia as the most tech-savvy country, which is why it has been a common sight to see people carry and use more than one or two gadgets with them all at the same time-even on the road,” Mark Tan, CEO of NAVCO Inc. “With the Nuvi, people can now get precise and accurate directions—which roads to turn, their distance from point A to B, or the exact elevation of their current position—wherever they are.” Tan is expected to give a seminar on the applications of Garmin products during the MIAS targeting car enthusiasts who love to go cross-country with their favorite rides but are not brave enough without a reliable GPS system.

“Garmin Nuvis are portable, sleek, and stylish touch screen, personal travel assistants for cars and motorcycles that give directions through an audible voice and graphical illustration for people on the go. These devices are preloaded with maps that are updated every quarter through the Garmin website, covering all cities and national highways in the Philippines and other parts of the world,” reveals Mark Tan of NAVCO Inc.