Garmin | Garage

Garmin gives back, helping local students explore world of science and engineering

Garmin — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:39:56 -0600

In a study done in 2009 by the Institute of Education Science, U.S. children were ranked 17 in the world in science when compared to other developed nations. These statistics are troubling to many Americans, but Garmin engineers have been proactive in trying to improve this statistic. In 2007 Garmin engineer Chris L. began volunteering with FIRST, an organization whose goal is to inspire young people’s interest in science. Chris and about 12 other Garmin engineers are devoted to mentoring kids involved with FIRST.

What sparks these engineers to add volunteer time to an already busy week? Chris L. sees “value in getting children of the future excited about science. We need more engineers in the U.S. and education and mentorship is my way of helping to make a difference.” Garmin engineers are trying to make a difference in the science industry, but so is Garmin International. Since 2007 when Chris L. and other engineers started volunteering, Garmin has continued to increase their funding to the FIRST robotics competition to help develop interest in science and engineering.

Currently, there are are dozen Garmin engineers who are giving of their time and knowledge to high school students from the Kansas City area competing in the annual robotics competition. Within the last month, FIRST robotics competition had their kickoff at Garmin Headquarters where 60 teams came to learn what this year's game would be. Each team represented one school from the Kansas City area and one team even had up to 75 students on it. Each team was given a box of metals, gears, motors and other useful materials needed to build a robot weighing close to 120 pounds. The building phase takes place over a 6-week period. After the kickoff at HQ, six teams stayed at Garmin to receive help and mentoring from four of our engineers. They spent the day creating the basis for the robot in the Garmin facilities and had the opportunity to be around others who were also interested in science. All teams involved will compete at the Kansas City Regional competition, which will be held at Hale Arena, March 14-16. Best of luck to the teams and may the best 'bot win!

Garmin founders win Economist's Innovation Award for Consumer Products

Garmin — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:35:20 -0600

In 1989, Gary Burrell and Dr. Min Kao stood around a card table with a couple fellow engineers, discussing how a constellation of satellites could benefit people's lives. This week, the founders of Garmin were honored with the Economist Group 2012 Innovation Award for Consumer Products for Garmin’s portable navigation devices.

Earlier this month, Gary and Min were inducted into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame, joining an elite group that includes Clyde Cessna, Bill Lear, Walter and Olive Beech and other aviation icons.

The Economist Group's awards recognize significant contributions across eight fields ranging from telecoms to social altruism.

“We are very honored to receive this prestigious award and humbled that Garmin is included among some of the biggest thinkers and best brands in the world,” said Min upon accepting the award on behalf of Garmin this week in London.

When asked to describe his "eureka" moment, Min shared this story: "My “eureka” moment had a delayed response. It was a casual dinner at an unassuming restaurant. I was in conversation with an engineering co-worker, Gary Burrell, a man of intelligence and integrity. We talked about the not-yet completed satellite navigation constellation and its potential as the base technology for future consumer products. The flashes of creating products for pilots, boaters, drivers, hunters and hikers that would provide safety and convenience and enrich people’s lives, flowed through our minds and into our conversation. At that time, and the months to follow, I was running on adrenaline, decidedly more anxious than euphoric. Twenty-three years and over 100 million products later, I recognize it as a life-changing event. My eureka moment."

Tom Standage, Digital Editor at The Economist and Chairman of the panel of 29 judges, said of the award decision: “The Economist's Innovation Awards recognize the dreamers and the doers behind the innovations that transform the world we live in. Through their vision and creativity, this year’s winners have created important products and services. Whether in household names or behind-the-scenes breakthroughs, their innovative contributions have become part of everyday life for millions of people.” The awards ceremony formed the culmination of The Economist’s year-long program of engagement around innovation and was streamed live worldwide. For more details please visit: www.economistconferences.co.uk/innovation/winners2012

Let Homer Simpson Guide You

Garmin — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 16:17:37 -0500

Homer Simpson thinks that GPS stands for “gorilla pants suit,” but don’t let that fool you, he’ll get you wherever you want to go. You can now let Homer give you directions on your nüvi with our new Homer Simpson voice bundle. Included is not only Homer Simpson’s voice but also his famous pink sedan to display on your map screen while navigating. The bundle is available now for $10.99. You can learn more and listen to voice samples here. In addition, we also offer a pink dashboard for your nüvi as a free download to match Homer's sedan.

The Homer Simpson voice bundle is the newest addition to our collection of voices and vehicle icons in Garmin Garage, including Star Wars, Wallace & Gromit and other bundles. You can even record your own voice with Garmin Voice Studio.

Add SpongeBob and Dora to your nuvi before they leave the Garage

Garmin — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:16:56 -0500

Like a great play ending its run on Broadway or an All-Star retiring after a stellar career, all good things must come to an end. So we wanted to let you know that the clock is ticking for two of our popular characters in the Garmin Garage. SpongeBob Squarepants and Dora the Explorer will only be available as downloadable bundles through June 27. So don't hesitate, add some fun to your nuvi today!

Regular blog readers know that SpongeBob has been hanging out in the Garmin Garage but now it's time for him to get back to work. If you download his bundle before June 27, he can still liven up any trip, whether you're grabbing some fries at the Krusty Krab or dropping the kids off at boating school. Just sail over to garmin.com/nickelodeon to get a bundle for yourself. You'll get the real voice of SpongeBob along with with two fun vehicle icons starring – you guessed it – SpongeBob SquarePants. To sweeten the deal, the whole package is now just $5.99. And if SpongeBob doesn't float your boat? Dora the Explorer is ready to guide your adventures! Find them both for a very limited time at garmin.com/nickelodeon.

ASK GARMIN: EPISODE THREE

Garmin — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:09:27 -0500

This week we'll teach you more about Garmin Garage, how to get voices on your nuvi with the Voice Studio and how to load European maps to your device. To see your question featured on Ask Garmin, send response to garminblogs@garmin.com.

Cookie Monster's crumbs christen redesigned Garmin Garage

Garmin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:05:14 -0600

Not sure why we didn't see this coming, but on the day of our holiday potluck - when we're surrounded by colorful cookies of all shape and flavor - we welcomed a new friend to the Garmin Garage. Joining his Sesame Street neighbors Bert and Ernie, the always lovable (unless you have to bake for - or clean up after - him) Cookie Monster is now among the fun and familiar downloadable voices for compatible Garmin devices. Better yet, he brought his van - the Cookie cruiser - to haul around his friends (and their treats).

Apparently our mechanics in the Garmin Garage have been as busy as Santa's elves, because they've given the place an overhaul to make the various voices and vehicles easier than ever to find and download. And speaking of makeovers, you can now further customize the display of your nuvi with our brand new dashboards. Currently, you can choose between Star Wars themes or your favorite Nickelodeon friends, Spongebob and Dora, to coordinate the look of your nuvi screen with the sounds of the voices guiding you.

With all of the holiday travel going on this week and next, we hope that our new voices, vehicles and dashboards can make every mile a little more memorable. Spend some time snooping around the Garage, and reinvigorate your road trip! Safe travels, and happy holidays to all!

Jake's Journal: Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie join the fun in Garmin Garage

Garmin — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:04:21 -0600

This week has taken me back to my younger days...specifically the days where a 7-foot-tall bird taught me my manners and monsters taught me to spell (and how to appreciate cookies). I learned how to be polite - and not to be a grouch. And that it's cool for two roommates to spontaneously burst into song about nearly anything - and now those two roomies can join me on my next road trip or daily drive! Yep, on the same day that I was able to tour KCPT, our local public television station (where we took pics with their biggest/loudest stars and launched a new project), my old buddies Bert and Ernie ventured from Sesame Street to the Garmin Garage.

Being the sharing type, they were more than happy to spend some time in the recording booth so that countless commuters can get their directions from two of the most popular voices of any generation. Better yet, they've had so much fun since arriving at the Garage, they've invited Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch to join them in the near future. Before they crash the party, we had to teach those two how to behave in the car - particularly how to be neat and nice, respectively.

So I know you want to ask: "Can you tell me how to get...how to get those Sesame Street voices?" Just go to garmingarage.com and click on their smiling faces. From there, simple instructions will walk you through the process, and be sure to check out the many other voices and vehicles (some famous, some just fun) that can make your holiday travel more entertaining. Perfect timing as these charismatic characters always reminded us to say thanks.

Road Trip with Zabriskie: Get Dave's voice on your Garmin

Garmin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:22:02 -0600

Team Garmin's Dave Zabriskie is one of the most popular and enigmatic characters in pro cycling, so he's the perfect travel companion as the voice of your Garmin nüvi.

Available in late November as a new addition to the downloadable Team Garmin bundle, Dave's musings and guidance will join the other voices and vehicles at http://garmingarage.com. And don’t miss the chance to see Zabriskie in action at the official team presentation in Boulder on Nov. 17! Click here for more details and to get tickets: http://bit.ly/2012RideArgyle

Treasure Chest Sweepstakes and Halloween Goodies

Garmin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:21:12 -0500

Halloween is just around the corner and with that comes bags of candy, creative scare tactics, spooky costumes (or running Elvi) and the end of Opie's Treasure Chest Sweepstakes brought to you by OpenCaching.com.

With four days left, you still have time to create some caches of your own and be entered into a chance to win your very own Dako ta 20. With that said, we are actually less than 50 caches away from the 2000 cache mark of this contest and will be giving away an Oregon 45 0t once we hit that milestone.

Every cac he created qualifies as an entry, and to make things even easier, we provide a page to easily import caches you may have listed on other sites to help spread the word about your creations. And in the end, everyone comes out ahead because they’ll have thousands of new caches to find and log. While this specific sweepstakes is open to U.S. an d Canadian residents, our offices around the world have been brainstorming – and announcing - exciting promotions for their respective countries as well. Happy caching, have fun creating and good luck to all!

Don't forget to check out all the new Free vehicle bundle options in the Garmin Garage to customize your Nüvi this Holiday season. We even have one for Halloween!

Garmin Garage: Wallace & Gromit – Reporting for Duty!

Garmin — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:21:16 -0500

One of the great things about turning wrenches in the Garmin Garage is that you’ll never know who . . . or what . . . will walk or roll through the doors each and every day. Just a few months back, Darth Vader and Yoda arrived – separately, of course. And now Wallace & Gromit have made an appearance and are ready for you to download. With this premium voice and vehicle download, you’ll get their van vehicle icon and the real voice of Wallace to lead you on your way. It’s the perfect bundle for a ride through the countryside or a trip to the city! And as an added bonus: You can almost be certain that this premium voice and vehicle bundle will work better than a vast majority of Wallace’s wacky contraptions! Stop by today and grab this great bundle for your compatible nüvi or zumo! And then plan a return visit soon . . . because you never know what you’ll find in the Garmin Garage!