Far East Biz
Friday, February 17, 2006
VICS In Japan
What is VICS
VICS = Vehicle Information and Communication System
It is one of important ITS projects in Japan. The VICS center broadcasts real-time traffic related information to navigation systems equipped on vehicles to support drivers, aiming at improving on-road safety and the flow of traffic.
Users can receive all VICS information free. The information is provided 24hours a day covering almost the whole Japan except some remote areas such as isolated islands.
Many navigation systems equip only 1-media VICS receiver which can only receive FM multiplex broadcasts. 3-media VICS receiver can get more precise traffic information because it can receive not only FM multiplex broadcast but also information from Infrared and Radio-wave Beacons. Normally, circuit for receiving FM multiplex broadcasts is integrated in the main board of navigation systems, but external unit is needed for receiving signals from Infrared and Radio-wave Beacons. The VICS center is recommending manufactures to equip 3-media VICS receiver, so the license fee for manufacturing 3-media receiver is cheaper than 1-media receiver.
License for manufacturing VICS receiving systems
Manufactures need to join the VICS center and pay necessary fees for manufacturing VICS receivers. The detail can be found at VICS Center.
Marketing Information
The latest data about numbers of navigation systems and VICS units in Japanese market can be found at ITS Japan.
Manufactures
• Toyota
VICS 1-media (FM) receiving unit has been integrated in navigation systems; users can buy optional VICS beacon (Infrared and Radio-wave) receiving units to equip on navigation systems.
Toyota VICS beacon unit, price is about JPY 17,850 (including tax)
http://toyota.jp/dop/navi/lineup/option/vics/
• Nissan
VICS 1-media (FM) receiving unit has been integrated in navigation systems; users can buy optional VICS beacon (Infrared and Radio-wave) receiving units to equip on navigation systems.
Nissan VICS beacon unit, price is about JPY 27,510 (including tax)
http://www.nissan.co.jp/OPTIONAL-PARTS/NAVI_AUDIO/HC705-A/
• Honda
VICS 1-media (FM) receiving unit has been integrated in navigation systems. Users have two options to get more precise VICS information:
1. Use mobile phones to connect to Honda’s telematics data server (Internavi) to get more precise VICS information, which is also got from the VICS center.
2. Buy VICS beacon (Infrared and Radio-wave) receiving units to equip on navigation systems.
http://premium-club.jp/PR/technology/t1.html
• Pioneer
VICS 1-media (FM) receiving unit has been integrated in navigation systems; users can buy optional VICS beacon (Infrared and Radio-wave) receiving units to equip on navigation systems.
Pioneer VICS beacon unit, price is about JPY 21,000 (including tax)
http://www3.pioneer.co.jp/carrozzeria/products/option/option.php?id=1&no=1
• Panasonic
VICS 1-media (FM) receiving unit has been integrated in navigation systems; users can buy optional VICS beacon (Infrared and Radio-wave) receiving units to equip on navigation systems.
Panasonic VICS beacon unit, price is about JPY 27,300 (including tax)
http://panasonic.jp/car/navi/products/HDS955_935_905/system_up/index.html
• Sony
VICS 1-media (FM) receiving unit has been integrated in navigation systems; users can buy optional VICS beacon (Infrared and Radio-wave) receiving units to equip on navigation systems.
Sony VICS beacon unit, price is about JPY 22,050 (including tax)
http://www.ecat.sony.co.jp/me/carvisual/acce_lst.cfm
• Kenwood
VICS 1-media (FM) receiving unit has been integrated in navigation systems; users can buy optional VICS beacon (Infrared and Radio-wave) receiving units to equip on navigation systems.
Kenwood VICS beacon unit, price is about JPY 22,050 (including tax)
http://www.kenwood.co.jp/j/products/carnavi/cms/option/vf_m77.html
Official Websites
VICS center http://www.vics.or.jp/english/index.html
ITS Japan http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/ITS/
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