RAC in the Driving Seat, Taking Online Nav....

05 November 2008, 12:42pm

RAC in the Driving Seat, Taking Online Navigation to the Next Level With Multimap Technology


RAC has launched a new online route planner service using the latest mapping technology from Multimap, one of the world’s leading online mapping and location-based services providers. As part of its website redesign, RAC will take route planning in the UK to new levels of usability by combining the interactive online maps and local information in Multimap with easy-to-understand driving directions.

A key feature of the new route planner is the ability to customise maps with local information from Multimap — such as the location of restaurants, car parks, railway stations and Wi-Fi hot spots, which can be layered onto the map according to the user’s specified preferences. RAC is also planning to take advantage of this functionality to secure sponsorship partners that can highlight the location of their services on maps and in route details, such as branded petrol stations.

Another distinctive feature of the route planner is the integration of the Microsoft Virtual Earth high-resolution aerial and Bird’s Eye imagery, which is taken at a 45-degree angle and exposes more geographical features onto the map. Users can switch from standard road view to Bird’s Eye view, allowing them to explore their destination in greater detail and visualise useful landmarks, while maintaining a clear and consistent view of street names and other navigational aids. Following Microsoft Corp.’s acquisition of Multimap in December 2007, Microsoft Virtual Earth has been integrated seamlessly into the Multimap platform, allowing customers to benefit from the best features of both products.

“Some online route planners use small, static maps, which lack detail needed to find a destination with ease,” commented Gavin Talbot, senior business manager at RAC. “When combined with imagery from Microsoft Virtual Earth, we found that the online maps and directions service from Multimap deliver incredibly rich functionality for our route planner. Their technical teams in the UK are helping us to develop a solution that will make the RAC route planner customer experience even better.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with RAC, whose new route planner showcases how Multimap and Microsoft Virtual Earth together deliver great benefit to our customers, their commercial partners and great online experiences to consumers,” said Matthew Quinlan, head of B2B Marketing at Multimap. “We look forward to continuing to work with RAC to drive useful innovation in their route planner.”

www.multimap.com

Click here to try RAC’s route planner

GeoConnexion UK