Navteq launches 3D developer toolkit from Visioglobe

NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world, today announced a co-marketing agreement with Visioglobe, granting NN4D the rights to distribute Visioglobe’s 3D rendering software development kit (SDK), VisioDevKit. The VisioDevKit allows developers globally to easily create or enhance existing applications with sample data of NAVTEQ’s Enhanced 3D City Models product.

The VisioDevKit integrates Munich sample data of NAVTEQ’s Enhanced 3D City Models to help application developers make the most of the opportunities in 3D mapping and differentiate their app from current market offerings. The SDK is currently available to iPhone developers and will be available on the Linux, Symbian and Android platforms in 2011. The SDK is now available to all NN4D members for a ninety day free evaluation period at NN4D.com.

With Visioglobe’s offering, application developers can control the 3D camera handling position and connect it to existing routing solutions and a compass to personalize their solution. Also, with the advanced image quality in the SDK (more than one million triangles per second) and fluidity (more than 20 images per second), developers can make the most of hardware-accelerated graphics on mobile devices. Additionally, the VisioDevKit allows developers to easily integrate additional content offerings into their app, such as routing, NAVTEQ’s LocationPoint advertising, traffic, or other services from NAVTEQ or other content providers.

"With a growing portfolio of 3D visual content from NAVTEQ for vehicle and pedestrian navigation experiences, application developers will need the right tools to prepare themselves for a graphics-intense LBS future," said Marc Naddell, vice president, partner and developer programs, NAVTEQ. "With VisioDevKit, developers will be able to more effectively render 3D map data and location content offerings from NAVTEQ. We look forward to seeing a host of new 3D-enhanced apps created by the LBS community."

Visioglobe’s technology is comprised of two parts. The first includes pre-processing tools for incorporating large amounts of data for on-board and off-board usage, and the other is the VisioDevKit with a real-time immersive, 3D geographical and urban visualization engine, thus enabling developers to create content rich 3D location-based applications.

"Visioglobe is pleased to be working with NAVTEQ to offer VisioDevKit to developers, thus enabling LBS developers to smoothly render the market’s best 3D content from NAVTEQ and deliver flexibility in mobile applications," said Eric Bernard, chief executive officer, Visioglobe. "App developers are given the opportunity to use NAVTEQ’s advanced content such as Enhanced 3D City Models and 3D Landmarks to create richer mapping and navigation experiences for the mobile user."

Visioglobe won the Grand Prize for the 2010 NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge Asia-Pacific region, as well as the "Most Innovative Use of Graphics" special recognition award from Imagination Technologies for its application VisioStreet, developed using VisioDevKit. VisioStreet is a navigation software solution for major cities, powered by NAVTEQ map data and NAVTEQ’s Enhanced 3D City Models. Social networking features allow users to find points of interest, friends’ photos, events and more in real time.

For a free 90-day evaluation license to VisioDevKit, visit www.NN4D.com/visiodevkit.