Masternaut tracks with aerial maps through Microsoft Virtual Earth

Leeds, United Kingdom, 22 March 2007: Vehicles can now be tracked using street-level aerial photography following the latest innovation by Masternaut, the UK and Europe’s leading telematics company. Using Microsoft® Virtual Earth™ vehicle movements can be tracked on high resolution aerial photomaps or satellite imagery. This bird’s eye view of the real world supplements the existing street mapping layer providing additional information and detail.

Fleet controllers can clearly see their vehicle approaching landmarks such as shopping centres, car parks and industrial sites. In town, Virtual Earth can even reveal road markings including loading bays and individual parking slots. This allows controllers to guide drivers and confirm exact locations day or night. In the case of theft or unauthorised use, the aerial maps allow very precise tracking and identification of access points for hidden vehicles.

“This is a very exciting development,” commented Martin Port, Managing Director of Masternaut UK. “Microsoft Virtual Earth provides real world detail for our users; filling in the gaps left by traditional street mapping. It is easy to use, easy to interpret and takes our online vehicle management to another level.”

Masternaut uses satellite positioning technology to calculate the position of individual vehicles providing minute by minute and turn by turn records of movements. Managers can view vehicle movements in real time in their real world context, via a secure log-in from any web-connected PC or hand held device. The Microsoft Virtual Earth integration adds other functionality to Masternaut such as innovative and dynamic map styles, enhanced local and proximity search facilities and optimised driving directions complete with step-by-step instructions.