Telematics services provider ATX Group plans to enter the market for portable and desktop communications and navigation devices in North America and Europe.

ATX telematics services include location-specific emergency and roadside assistance, automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle recovery, remote diagnostics and real-time traffic and navigation assistance.

"Connectivity is the next logical step for personal navigation devices, expanding its usefulness beyond navigation and expanding its reach to interact with vehicles, the desktop computer and other devices," said Ingrid Dinsmore, ATX director of navigation services. “We can provide manufacturers of portable navigation devices a new service that offers a better alternative to the increasing competition they face from other types of devices."