During the Chicago Auto Show, Rand McNally revealed OverDryve, a connected-car device that brings advanced luxury-car features to mainstream automobiles. OverDryve is a dashboard tablet that provides a combination of entertainment, information, navigation and safety features.
"The vast majority of the 250 million U.S. cars and light trucks on the road today don't have sophisticated electronics – features such as voice recognition and control, hands-free texting and forward collision detection, just to name a few," said Stephen Fletcher, CEO of Rand McNally. "OverDryve upgrades ordinary vehicles by providing an advanced connected-car experience for a fraction of the cost of a high-end luxury car."
Designed with drivers in mind, OverDryve provides simple and intuitive access to:
- A voice-controlled smart assistant
- Hands-free calling and texting
- Music from drivers' favorite sources
- Audible news, weather, traffic and sports
- Forward collision warnings
- A dash camera and available high-resolution wireless backup camera
- Customizable gauge clusters and vehicle information
- Available tire pressure monitoring
- Award-winning trip planning and navigation
- An FM radio
- Wired and wireless connectivity to in-dash radios
- And available roadside assistance and accident notification
OverDryve features an elegant user display that provides access to key items at a glance. It comes with a magnetic mount, making attaching and removing the device a snap. Keeping safety at the forefront, some OverDryve features are disabled while the device is on the mount and in driver mode. Off the mount – for passengers in the car or after the drive – OverDryve is a fully loaded entertainment tablet that can be used to watch movies, access social media and check email.
Celebrating its 160th anniversary this year, Rand McNally has undergone a quiet transformation into a technology company in recent years. A major player in the commercial transportation markets – for 80 years – the company has leveraged its fast-growing telematics and fleet management expertise along with its award-winning commercial navigation to create a highly advanced, connected-car device that is affordable and can be used in any car or truck.
"Rand McNally has been helping people discover, map and navigate for 160 years. While we are most widely known for our best-selling Road Atlases, during the past several years we have transformed into an innovative technology company for the consumer and commercial transportation markets – businesses that now comprise 70 percent of the company's revenue," added Fletcher. "OverDryve is the latest technology product to come from this ongoing effort."