ParkMe, Magnifis Announce Partnership

LOS ANGELES, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ParkMe, a Los Angeles-based company that is the nation's leading provider of parking information to navigation companies and smartphones, announced today that it will partner with Magnifis to add its world-class parking information to its voice-based driver assistant application.

Magnifis' Android app, called "Robin," is a challenger to Evi and Apple's Siri. Robin is specifically designed to be the driver's personal voice assistant, the first of its kind (think KITT from the Knight Rider series). It aims to address the driver's needs in a distraction-free manner, at a high level of contextual awareness and overall user experience. Besides real-time parking guidance, Robin can help the driver with traffic information, navigation, local search, up-to-date gas prices and infotainment, all via a voice/gesture interface. The company says it employs "cut- above" intelligence because it can keep track of the conversation.

"ParkMe's renowned app and database of parking information, combined with Magnifis' capabilities, will provide our users with safe, hands-free information. It's a fantastic use of our parking information," Sam Friedman, CEO of ParkMe, said.

Magnifis CEO Ilya Eckstein believes the app's highlights are its simplicity and emphasis on safety. "The app can be activated by simply waving one's hand over the phone, optimizing the experience of driving and searching," Eckstein said. 

ParkMe's app includes a database of more than 26,000 parking locations through the U.S., Canada and Europe. It provides information on availability, rates, hours of operation and entry points. It also gives users the ability to reserve and pay for parking in select locations. Some real-time on- and off- street locations exist, with many more to follow.

Studies show that up to 30 percent of urban congestion is caused by people searching for parking. "ParkMe's app is helping to cut down on this problem by providing the best, most dynamic parking data in real time," Friedman said.

"This new app by Magnifis protects from the dangers of distracted driving. We are delighted that Magnifis has chosen ParkMe as its real-time parking provider," Friedman said.

About ParkMe

Based in Los Angeles, ParkMe is the leading provider of parking information to navigation companies and smartphones. Its mission is to make parking easier. ParkMe collects and aggregates data about both on-street and off-street parking and has built the world's most comprehensive parking database. This includes more than 26,000 worldwide locations in more than 500 cities, 19 countries and three continents. ParkMe's free app, ParkMe, helps drivers find parking in real time from their smartphones.

ParkMe is backed by a highly respected group of investors, including Fontinalis Partners and IDG Ventures. Fontinalis Partners is a leading transportation technology strategic investment firm founded by Bill Ford, Ralph Booth, Mark Schultz, Chris Cheever and Chris Thomas. IDG Ventures is a global network of venture capital funds with approximately $5 billion under management and a portfolio of over 220 companies built over the last 15 years. For more information about ParkMe, please visit: www.parkme.com

About Magnifis

Based in Palo Alto, Calif., Magnifis is a leading creator of conversational speech understanding solutions across multiple domains and languages. Magnifis is backed by private investors. For more information, please visit: www.magnifis.com.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-19882_3-57392489-250/new-android-voice-assistant-robin-rides-shotgun/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=title

Contact: Kevin J Blomberg
[email protected]
310-451-9109

SOURCE ParkMe