Though it’s hard to see where Clarion’s NAX973HD fits in between in-dash units installed at the factory and portable navigators, we suppose folks already drawn to a dedicated display or totally infatuated with this thing’s software may be in love. Marketed as a nav system that will churn out directions in Europe much quicker than those disc-based systems, this unit features a 30GB internal hard drive, 12-channel GPS receiver, built-in gyro sensor / RDS-TMC tuner for traffic information, pre-loaded NAVTEQ maps of 30 countries, voice recognition / text-to-speech capabilities, 2D / 3D map views and a VGA output to boot. Unfortunately, word on the street pegs this thing at £795 ($1,579) without a display, so we’d probably steer clear unless you’re crazy about automotive installations.

[Via Tech Digest]

We’ve already seen GPS used to track elderly patients, but some student researchers now look to be taking the idea one step further, with them outfitting some nursing center patients’ walkers with a GPS system that helps guide them around. While the exact technical details are a bit unclear, the system apparently uses GPS when the patients are out and about, and relies on a WiFi-based system to direct ‘em around inside the nursing center itself. The entire system has also obviously been about as simplified as possible, with it boasting just five buttons and large arrows pointing the way to the patients’ destination. As a student project, however, it’s still quite a ways from gaining any widespread use, although it has apparently been at use at the one nursing center their testing it at for several months already. Let’s just hope folks don’t take to relying on it too much — we all know where that can lead.[Thanks, Jack]

While we wait patiently for camera manufacturers to realize that geotagging is a much more compelling feature than yet another megapixel, we’ll be building this DIY GPS attachment for the Nikon D200 instead. Just like the $400 GeoPic II, the box is based on a SiRF Star III chip, but since you’re building it yourself, you’ll wind up shelling out less than $100. While you’ll need a steady hand and a bit of soldering skill, it doesn’t look too hard to put together — so what are you waiting for? Instructions at the read link.

[Via Make]

Multifunction PNDs are starting to hit the low end of the price spectrum, which is always welcome — check out G-Sol’s Marbella 8800 nav unit, which sports PMP functions, AV-in, and a 2 megapixel digital camera for a wholesale price of $160. That means the retail price will probably be around $200, but you’re actually getting a decent piece of kit — there’s a SiRF Star III GPS chip in there, which is pretty respectable. Of course, some willing wholesaler’s got to be willing to to bring this bad boy to the States first, but hey — that could be you, if you’re willing to fence a couple thousand of these a month.

[Via Navigadget]

Well, well — what have we here? Apparently, this PSP (developer’s edition, we’re told) was spotted at the Game Developers Conference in California attempting to showcase how well the gaming handheld could handle navigation. Unfortunately, the underground nature of the booth resulted in a slightly inaccurate reading, but we’re sure it’ll do quite alright under normal circumstances when it’s (hopefully) loosed in the not-too-distant future.

[Via NaviGadget]

And you thought puttering around the intarwebz on your EDGE-capable iPhone was bad — just think of trying to find anything on the ‘net while accidentally moseying through a dodgy part of town. Nevertheless, BMW is gearing up to offer “unrestricted access” to the web as an option in any new 2008 vehicle, but alas, it’s only for European clients at the moment. Of course, BMW’s no stranger to letting bits and pieces of the web into its motorcars, but this creation will let you catch up on the latest gadget news and pre-order the latest Elmo doll from the comfort of your heated seat. Sadly, the service is only available to front seat passengers when the car is in park (it’s for the best, we know), but your kiddos can surf into all sorts of bizarre chatrooms while seated in the rear. Nothing like a predator tailing you on the autobahn!

At first glance, we seriously assumed that we had mentioned this exact same story before. Turns out, one particular Maxi Haulage driver doesn’t tune into Engadget, as he pulled the exact same trick in (almost) the same circumstances. Reportedly, this timber haul was cut short as the driver followed his personal GPS system down a “farm lane” suitable only for (presumably small) tractors, and needless to say, the 45-foot vehicle has been wedged ever since. Additionally, the owner of the property is quite irate, as the mishap is forcing her to drive an extra two miles until rescue arrives. Still, the motorist did cruise right by a sign noting that the upcoming road was unfit for heavy goods vehicles, so at least the sat nav can’t take all of the blame this go ’round.

[Thanks, Carl H.]

We’re currently smitten with that Diesel-powered Loremo, but if we had to pick our second favorite car for the day, it’d be this here Toyota Yaris SR. Not only is it cute and sporty, but the dash rocks a fully-integrated TomTom GPS unit. When docked it not only gives you directions but provides a touchscreen interface for your car stereo, plus Bluetooth integration for hands-free phone integration, and when you’re ready to rough it on foot you can pull the TomTom out of the car and carry it with you as a regular portable GPS unit. Now for the sadderness: Toyota is only offering this car in Europe right now, so us hapless Americans are going to have to stick with by our sextants for the time being.