Picture: Jam or no jam with the online Traffic Information Platform.

October 2008: Currently, systems using GPS technology only allows drivers to pinpoint their location on a map and plan driving routes without taking real-time traffic information into account.

Early next year, motorists will be able to receive live traffic information on in-car navigation devices such as GPS navigation systems or radios that are fitted in their vehicles and mobile phone applications.

Quantum Inventions, a Singapore-based company that started in 2005, has partnered with the Land Transport Authority to develop the Traffic Information Platform (TRIP), a software product that allows client devices, systems and applications to receive and process live traffic information over GPRS, 3G, or on any medium.

The Quantum team has been working with LTA to develop this platform since Jan 2007. The company is also developing consumer applications that can use this information to better advise motorists. Prior to the spin-off from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), more than six years have been dedicated to the research and development of routing and dynamic navigation algorithms at the university’s Centre for High Perfomance Embedded Systems.

Quantum has not announced the cost of the software. However, navigation software without dynamic re-routing ability available in the market cost between S$50 and S$100. Similar traffic information services in some cities of other countries are available together with a $15 to $30 monthly charge. The company is also exploring the possibility of providing a free online information services portal (basic applications) for the public.

Bringing real-time traffic condition and information to the users and making it relevant; the system also allows users to plan and choose either the shortest, cheapest or fastest route they wish to embark. This makes eonomical sense especially with the increase in the number of ERP gantries in operation and to avoid congestion caused by public road works and accidents.

“Leveraging on technology to optimise the road network has been a key lever in ensuring smooth flowing roads in Singapore. Armed with the real time information, it empowers motorists with the ability to make an informed decision when planning their routes,” said Dr Chin Kian Keong, LTA’s chief engineer for transportation.

TRIP provides information aligned to International Standards for exchange of traffic information. The Traffic Information, to be made available as a service is TMC (Traffic Message Channel) ready and TPEG compliant.(TPEG stands for Transport Protocol Experts Group - TPEG technology has been developed by a Partnership of broadcasters and consumer industry over the last few years and has been supported by the European Broadcasting Union for over 8 years) TPEG and TMC are both international standards published under the Intelligent Transport Systems technical committee (TC204) of the International Standards Organization (ISO).
This will assist QI who holds the sole commercial rights and access of TRIP in looking at possible strategic alliance with overseas partners in India and the region.

Mr Saurav Bhattacharyya, executive director and co-founder of Quantum, said: “Quantum Inventions is committed to providing information and systems that aid consumers and businesses in taking decisions that help towards reducing costs”.

Customers include ministries and government agencies.

Future strategic plans

According to Mr Saurav, the company’s core businesses are real-time information services such as TRIP and application and products providing relevant and affordable real-time information and advisory. It is looking towards employing its core technologies in real-time information platforms and portable device platforms towards applications of benefit to users in all land traffic-based domains: consumers, enterprise and government (security and emergency services) before embarking on vertical integration by sectors.

The company started with core technologies and algorithms for routing. The initial implementation of the algorithm was a single-chip integrated circuit which was subsequently developed into software targeting Mobile, PC and Server platforms.

QI is developing dynamic navigation (which responds to traffic information) and traffic advisory applications under the brand name Galactio ( www.galactio.com) and will be upgrading the TRIP to Traveller Information System (TRAVIS) which will incorporate weather conditions, ERP, parking information, etc. for motorists.

About Quantum Inventions
Quantum Inventions is a spin-off from the Nanyang Technological University.

Professor Thambipillai Srikanthan is the co-founder and principal inventor of the technologies developed at NTU and is currently the chief strategic and technology adviser to the company.

Mr Saurav is the executive director and co-founder. Using the “escalator pitch” approach, he secured the seed investment in September, 2006.

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