ORLANDO, Fla.-Airbiquity Inc. and motoring and travel services company AAA are field testing a portable location services device that attaches to existing cellular handsets, the companies announced.
The test is being performed in cooperation with AAA’s Response Services Center L.L.C., and is designed to advance AAA’s telematics strategy.
Dan Allen, president and chief executive officer of Airbiquity, said the AAA pilot test is a breakthrough application of the company’s global positioning system and wireless communication technology.
“The specific services piloted include location-based emergency notification, AAA roadside assistance and travel consulting, including points-of-interest referral,” Allen said.
Participants include 200 AAA and Response employees in 11 metropolitan areas including Baltimore; Detroit; Columbus, Ohio; Los Angeles; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; St. Louis; Orlando, Fla.; Ottawa, Ontario; and Portland, Maine. The test is using seven different wireless carriers, four different air interface technologies and 18 wireless phone types.
When pilot participants call the Response center, operators will be able to view the subscriber’s precise location on a computer map display. Each participant will be provided a weekly schedule of calls that must be placed, reflecting a variety of scenarios, Airbiquity said.
