In 1985, the Etak Navigator revolutionized navigation by being the world’s first practical vehicle navigation system. It utilized an innovative process called ‘augmented dead reckoning’ to match the navigation sensors with a topologically correct electronic map, a technique still used in navigation apps today. The system introduced the concept of address search and a ‘heading up’ moving map display, making navigation intuitive. Despite technical challenges like inertial navigation errors and data storage limitations, the Etak Navigator paved the way for future navigation systems. Eventually, the technology was licensed to major automotive manufacturers, laying the foundation for modern personal navigation devices.
https://maphappenings.com/2024/04/11/story-of-etak/