Telecom Lead Asia: Nuance Communications has tied up with AutoNavi, a provider of location-based solutions in China, to bring intuitive voice-enabled navigation capabilities.

The two companies will collaborate to launch a voice-enabled navigation product AutoNavi Map in the second quarter of 2013 to the world’s automotive and navigation device manufacturers developing navigation offerings supporting Chinese languages.

Collaboration with Nuance will enable AutoNavi to integrate voice data to their core navigation data and optimize the user experience for its map

navigation products shipping in China.

AutoNavi will rely on Nuance’s voice technologies to provide more accurate voice recognition and text-to-speech.

Daniel Cheng, General Manager of Greater China Region, Nuance Communications, said: “Through our collaboration with AutoNavi, manufacturers will be able to offer an incredibly intuitive voice-enabled navigation experience that keeps Chinese drivers’ eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.”

AutoNavi, a digital map data provider for in-car navigation, provides navigation data products and services to more than 100 models of domestic and foreign auto brands and navigation application software to mainstream automotive manufacturers.

Along with the scalability of its digital map data and location-based service, AutoNavi has also developed two core mobile map apps, Amap and aNav, which have both maintained a number-one market position in China Mobile map and navigation market.

At the beginning of 2013, AutoNavi announced that its free mobile map application—Amap has surpassed 100 million users, further demonstrating its distinct advantage and leadership position.

Yongqi Yang, AutoNavi Executive Vice President of Automotive Business, said: “Nuance’s automotive voice expertise and technologies integrated as part of our core navigation and map data will enable us to innovate voice-enabled navigation services.”

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