Navigation Technologies, a provider of digital maps for vehicle navigation, Internet/wireless, government, and business solutions, on September 2 announced the first commercial use of its NAVTECH Map Voice Data. The "Avis Assist" phone-based navigation system, developed by Motorola, is now available in Avis rental cars in up to 50 cities across the United States and Canada. Avis Assist utilizes NAVTECH Map Voice Data for North America and represents the first commercial use of any NAVTECH Map Voice Data globally, according to Navigation Technologies. Navigation Technologies claims NAVTECH Map Voice Data brings a higher degree of precision and usability to navigation systems. "It enhances user experience by reducing recognition complexities, improving output accuracy and expanding the navigation system's dynamic routing commands to include street names, administrative areas and points of interest," the company said in a statement. Many of today's navigation systems use generic audiovisual directions -- verbal cues stating "turn left" or "stay to the right" in conjunction with a directional signal on the screen of the device. Navigation systems integrating NAVTECH Map Voice Data, however, can provide customers with explicit and clear audio instructions linked to specific road names, greatly improving overall customer experience, according to Navigation Technologies. A customer using Avis Assist (or another navigation system powered by NAVTECH Map Voice Data) will hear "Exit to the left on Main Street in 500 feet," versus a less explicit alternative such as "Exit in 500 feet," according to Navigation Technologies. "This level of detail and 'road reality' is possible because of the way NAVTECH Map Voice Data is collected and managed," the company said in a stat ement. NAVTECH Map Voice Data links 1.7 million words to the U.S. database, a total of 34 times the average American vocabulary, the company said. The Motorola-developed Avis Assist solution is a phone-based wireless navigation system that literally "talks you through" directions to a destination, speaking street names and maneuvers along the way. With the use of a speakerphone, Avis Assist enables Avis renters to receive spoken turn-by-turn driving directions on a Motorola i88s global positioning system (GPS) enabled phone. Via speed dialing, the customer connects with the call center and provides the live representative with a destination address or requests a directory search for a point-of-interest in the area. A route is then downloaded to the Avis Assist unit, the Motorola i88S handset, and turn-by-turn directions are provided. "Consumers want a simple intuitive experience. Our Voice Map Data makes that possible," said John MacLeod, executive vice president - Global Marketing & Strategy. "We are pleased to offer this product free of charge to all customers who license NAVTECH map data." About Navigation Technologies Navigation Technologies creates the digital maps that power navigation and location-based services around the world. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and is privately held. The company's approximately 1,300 employees are based in more than 100 offices in 16 countries. For more information, visit www.navtech.com. NAVTECH is a registered trademark or trademark of Navigation Technologies Corp.n or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.