OnStar Partners with MapQuest

OnStar announced today a new partnership with MapQuest that will enable drivers to plan and design their route with the popular website and transfer the route to their in-car OnStar navigation system. A brilliant idea indeed as I despise the built in navigation interfaces on most in-car systems. They typically only allow point-to-point driving directions with no ability to modify your route or add multiple points of interest easily, especially while driving.

Using this new system, users can preplan their own routes via the MapQuest interface and have it sent to their in-car nav system. MapQuest allows for additional functionality not present in most in-car navigation systems. Features such as the ability to string together several points of interest or choose multiple point-to-point routes, as well as the obvious ability to see your route highlighted on a map prior to getting in the car.

The system will start via a pilot program this summer, with a full roll-out slated for late 2007.

Additional information available via the OnStar Press Release.