Navdy Comes to 12 Volt Stores Via Harman

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Navdy heads up display now distributed by Harman

Harman announced it is now the exclusive auto/audio distributor for a high tech aftermarket heads up display called Navdy. And Harman will sell Navdy through 12 volt retailers starting in January.

Harman is also an investor in Navdy, whose heads up display (HUD) is said to be the first in the aftermarket to include augmented reality.  Through smartphone and OBD2 port connections, it displays on your windshield in bright colorful images, cues for navigation, images of the person calling you and more. Your texts and tweets are delivered through the system, as well as traffic updates with alternative routing.

The images appear to float 6 feet in front of the driver in a manner that lets you keep your eyes on the road.

NavdyCar audio shops will not be the only outlet for the newly renamed “Navdy with Harman” portable HUD.  The device will also be sold at car dealers, telco stores such as Sprint stores, and it will sold to OEM automotive companies

Navdy is also selling the $799 device on its web site. And it plans to sell through Best Buy and Amazon in the first quarter next year. Navdy retains distribution rights to mass merchants, while Harman handles automotive/audio channels.

Navdy is an opportunity for 12 volt dealers, says Harman’s Jeff Fay.  He believes consumers will not only want this product but will seek out a demonstration of a working model, which could create new 12 volt –customers, who will also be interested in backup cameras and other aftermarket technology.

Navdy HUDAdditionally, Navdy comes with a strap on steering wheel control add-on that some consumers may want to have professionally installed.

Fay says heads up displays are one of the most sought after devices in new cars.   IHS Markit found that 55 percent of people planning to buy a new car want HUD technology in their next vehicle.

“It’s analogous to the iPod and iPhone.  The independent specialists who embraced them are still around and in business,” Fay said adding, “This is the number one requested device…for new car buyers.  They love this technology…The specialist channel has an opportunity to talk to customers who may not know of them today. Just as remote start revitalized car audio shops because it was a reason to talk to the customers not interested previously in subwoofers, speakers and amplifiers,” Fay said.

Your smartphone pairs with both Navdy and its separate OBD2 device.  Then a wire runs up to the Navdy from the OBD2 device.  There’s also a wireless steering wheel control knob that can activate Siri and Google Voice.

You can swipe away a call with a hand gesture or signal with your finger to accept an incoming call as shown here.

Navdy got a lot of media attention after it was announced about 2 years ago. When pre-orders began on its web site at that time, it ignited such interest that over 2,500 retailers and distributors from around the globe (at last count) contacted the company, said CEO Doug Simpson.  Harman must have really stood out from the competition.

 

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