Location services specialist GCT has turned to CPS’ Matrix technology to power a new generation of high accuracy devices and applications. The two companies have launched a joint development programme that will see CPS’ software-only Matrix solution integrated into a range of products suitable for vehicle, personal, asset and even pet tracking. The service and devices - marketed under GCT’s Tekel brand - are designed to fit into a pocket or palm of the hand and will deliver sub-100m accuracy across all environments and rapid location fix speeds.

GCT will also apply Matrix to its Tekel application middleware platform - including global 2D and 3D mapping and applications tools - that is used by a number of European operators to operate enterprise and personal location-based services.

The Spanish company, which plans to launch a range of Matrix-enabled products in late 2004, turned to CPS because its technology matched its requirements for a high accuracy solution than could easily be deployed into the Tekel range of terminals.

The two companies are also to jointly market the products and applications to operators worldwide, but will initially focus on Latin America where there is strong demand for personal safety, vehicle location products and asset monitoring.

CPS CEO Chris Wade said: “This partnership will deliver a unique offering - a personal device, as small as a business card, that can be used to provide a highly accurate location.

Imagine the uses - for locating friends and family and personal possessions from laptops to vehicles”.

“This further underlines Matrix’s unique ability to support a range of enterprise services - and highlights the strong and growing appetite for our technology from device, applications and services companies”.

GCT CEO Enric Rossell said: “We wanted to work with CPS because they can provide a unique combination of high accuracy and low cost coupled with all-environment coverage”.

“Existing technologies, such as Cell-ID do not meet our needs or the expectations of end users”.

“We do believe that by joining efforts, our companies will be in the position of providing to the mass market an unbeatable range of Tekel products and services”.

“We look forward to offering our customers an enhanced range of Matrix-powered products alongside new compelling high accuracy applications and services”.