PONTIAC ? After market telematics provider Guidepoint has begun shipping units with a new in-vehicle switch that allows drivers to access help at the touch of a button, just like rival OnStar.
Called the Guidepoint Access Panel, the switch allows consumers to arm and disarm the system’s Security Fence and to send an instant OnCall alert to Guidepoint’s response center. The switch is designed for mounting on the dashboard and features easy-to-understand graphics of a fence and phone, and a brilliant blue warning light to show system status and serve as theft deterrent.
?Lots of cars already have flashing red lights from factory-installed security systems and anti-theft radios,? said Guidepoint CEO Rand Mueller. ?We wanted to differentiate and simplify the Guidepoint Access Panel to make it easy to use and easy to install.?
The new access panel allows users to easily arm and disarm the Security Fence feature, which sets an invisible fence with a one-mile radius around the vehicle. If the vehicle is driven or towed out of that area without authorization, Guidepoint’s response center will notify the owner and, if necessary, contact the authorities.
The new panel also allows users to access assistance at the touch of a button with Guidepoint’s OnCall feature. Pushing the button sends an alert to the response centre, who will call the owner back on his or her pre-determined contact number. Unlike OnStar, which uses a factory-installed communication system featuring a blue button, Guidepoint works with standard cell phones, home phones, pagers or any communication device.
?We have found that consumers like the flexibility of being called on their cell phone or being sent a text message, particularly if their car has been moved without authorization,? Mueller said.
