Car GPS trackers

	Model TP-003 from mainland China's Tripaal is a GPS-based AVL equipped with a uNav chip. It supports 900MHz, 1800MHz and 1900MHz GSM frequencies.

From fleet management, the line has expanded to offer car security functionality and cater to end user requirements.

The automatic vehicle locator (AVL) industry has been given the proverbial shot in the arm in recent years by the technological requirements of the fleet management business. Vehicle tracking has allowed service providers to be more efficient in terms of time saved. It has also helped in the quick recovery of stolen vehicles.

Taxi fleets, police cars, ambulances, delivery fleets and logistics vehicle teams are some of the major applications. Enterprises that make use of AVLs have developed their own systems and monitoring networks or have subscribed to services from professional providers.

Most AVL devices use GPS technology, which has reached maturity and has established IC and software providers such as SiRF and uNav. GPS-based AVLs generally have an accuracy of within 5m to 10m.

AVLs based on GSM, GPRS and CDMA technologies are also available. The services for these types of AVLs are usually offered by mobile phone operators and are more suitable for personal use. These are also cheaper than GPS-based units.

The majority of AVLs in the market are multifunctional. Most have specifications that allow them to interface with vehicle anti-theft alarm and security systems.

There are between 40 and 50 AVL suppliers in mainland China. Most are based in the cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou in Guangdong province. In Taiwan, the number of suppliers is at least 30.

	Among Taiwan-based Helioversal's AVLs is the G6526, a Java-based solution that features realtime tracking and car security functions.

Most mainland China AVL suppliers provide GPS-based units. Some suppliers can also integrate GSM and GPRS technologies into their units. Entry-level models usually use SMS to report a vehicle’s relative position, while high-end models are capable of providing realtime continuous position reports and voice communication.

Tripaal Industrial International Co. Ltd supplies both GSM- and GPS-based AVLs that can interface with vehicle car alarm systems. The company’s GSM and GPS modules come from BenQ and uNav, respectively. Tripaal’s TP-002 is a GSM-based vehicle tracking device with an accuracy within 50m to 100m. Its TP-003 is a GPS-based vehicle tracker with 5m to 10m accuracy.

Tripaal plans to release two new AVL models in H2 2008 with added safety functions and voice monitoring ports.

T-zone Digital Technology Co. Ltd offers the TZ-AVL01, a GPS vehicle tracking system with realtime communication function based on a 3-frequency GSM network. The unit supports remote control and self-check functions for the vehicle’s security system.

T-zone plans to integrate 2-way communication platforms, shock sensors and USB ports into new AVLs in the next 12 months.

Topscom Precision Industry Co. Ltd’s TML718 is an ultra-mobile PC integrated with a GPS navigator and car tracker. Its tracking function is based on GSM/GPRS technologies. It has a built-in SIM card and sends a vehicle’s position via SMS.

	Taiwan's Baoruh has introduced the BR6870, an AVL and VDR in one unit. Designed for fleet management, it is a turnkey solution with added GPS and GPRS functionality.

Mainstream products in Taiwan feature GPS data logging, vehicle tracking, fleet management and job dispatch. Value-added functions are security and surveillance, and remote control and diagnostics.

Baoruh Electronics Co. Ltd has released the BR6870, a multifunction AVL unit designed for fleet management. The model combines AVL and vehicle data recorder (VDR) functions. It supports flexible applications such as fare calculator, taximeter, vehicle monitoring and job task dispatch. It also uses GSM and GPRS technologies that allow 1-way or 2-way communication (voice and text message) between the driver and dispatcher. The product’s hardware design features high compatibility with software integration, and can be used for broader business application to accommodate unique requirements from different types of commercial vehicles. The BR6870 has been awarded the AutoTronic Innovation Awards 2008 and is the official in-vehicle device for the taxi fleets at the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung.

Helioversal Technology Co. Ltd’s AVLs feature smart functions such as realtime tracking, remote control via SMS or GPRS, emergency notifications, car security functions and immobilization function. Some models also support USB connection with PCs for setting parameters and downloading log data. There are models that also support interfaces with bar code scanners, printers, RFID readers, and LED and LCD screens.

Helioversal’s model G6526 AVL is a Java-based solution that supports realtime tracking and car security features. It comes with four independent digital inputs that can connect to a panic button, car alarm system, ultrasonic sensor and speed dialer. The product also enables 2-way communication between the driver and control center.

Supa Technology Co. Ltd’s AVTS-3000 is a vehicle tracking and dispatch system for fleet management. It uses GPS, GSM and GPRS technologies. It features a graphic LCD panel and support for outgoing call and data transmission between the vehicle and control center. It supports interface with RFID readers/writers, barcode scanners/readers, PDAs and computers. Supa also offers an entry-level AVL model, the AVTS-1500.

The price of an AVL depends mainly on its integrated functions and the quality of the components and raw materials used. In mainland China, prices range from $80 to $160.

In Taiwan, an entry-level AVL supporting GPS, GSM and GPRS technologies is priced between $100 and $300. Multifunction units are priced between $500 and $1,000. Some models in this line are similar to car PCs with telematic functionality and are priced above $1,000.

In mainland China, most domestic AVL makers are new entrants from the car GPS industry. These suppliers usually consider AVLs as a secondary product.

Tripaal, a joint-venture enterprise established in 1995, specializes in car electronic accessories. Aside from AVLs, it offers car alarms, parking sensors and car DVD players. Tripaal has a 2,000sqm factory and employs more than 100 workers. With three production lines, it has the capacity to produce 5,000 AVLs a month. Tripaal exports to the US, Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia.

T-zone was established in 2006. Aside from AVLs, T-zone also offers GPS trackers, portable GPS navigators and GPS receivers. It mostly exports to Europe and North America. T-zone has 500 employees and a monthly capacity of 10,000 units.

Topscom is an OEM/ODM company with a 300-member product development team and more than 3,800 employees. Its products include digital photo frames, portable media players, portable DVD players, GPS devices, car tracking devices and mobile phones. Topscom has 43 production lines and SMT, plastic injection and metal stamping equipment. It has a 300,000-unit monthly capacity. Topscom exports to the US and Europe. Its products have UL, cUL, FCC, FDA, CE, CB and CCC certificates.

Taiwan AVL suppliers are mostly small and medium-sized companies that focus on R&D. They focused on the domestic market before gradually expanding to export markets.

Baoruh was established in 1981 and produced VDRs. Its product line has since broadened to include intelligent transport systems, safety and fleet management systems, automotive telematics and infotainment systems, on-board navigation systems and automatic ticket vending machines. Baoruh has partner factories certified under the TL 9000 and TS 16949 standards. It invests 5 percent of its sales revenue in R&D. Its major shipping destinations are mainland China and Southeast Asia.

Helioversal started to offer vehicle-tracking systems in 2003, which include automotive GPS trackers or AVLs in user-programmable models and turnkey solutions. Helioversal has three R&D focuses: Java-based solutions, user programmable models and external expandable designs. It has an ISO-standard partner factory in Taipei with a monthly production capacity of 2,000 units. The maker’s export markets include Australia and Europe, with Germany as its major market in Europe. It plans to export to Central and South America in the next 12 months.

Supa was established in 1989 and has 1,200 employees. It provides OEM and ODM services, and conducts all production processes in-house. Its production lines cover mold fabrication, plastic injection, SMT and assembly. Aside from vehicle trackers, Supa provides a comprehensive line of GPS products, including car navigation systems, Bluetooth GPS receivers and cradle GPS for PDAs and smart phones. The company accepts product customization orders. It boasts expertise in hardware design, precise technology in GPS, software core competence and experience in research and development.