due to the agreement with GM's Delphi (formerly Delco) unit. As the Etak map database was built (on old TIGER files) and updated, the field operations unit reassigned personnel to smaller satellite offices. The Miami field office, blocked by the Orlando office, was shuttered, and its personnel moved to Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Phoenix. In March 1998, the Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, and Washington D.C. offices were closed, and headcount at remaining offices was reduced. On June 4, 1998, all remaining field offices were closed, marking the end of independent mapping efforts under the Etak banner. Acquisitions Etak went through a number of acquisitions. Etak was acquired in 1989 by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. It was during this time that Fox Sports' FoxTrax hockey puck was introduced for use in NHL telecasts, using Etak GPS technology (there is a display in the Etak lobby). News Corporation then sold Etak to Sony Corporation in May 1996. In May 2000, Etak, Inc. was acquired from Sony Corporation by Tele Atlas and became Tele Atlas North America. Etak, Inc. ceased to exist as a separate company soon after. References External links "History of Navigation Research" – UC Berkeley Car Navigation Systems AUTO-SCOUT, TravelPilot based on ETAK system "Unix Benefits Digital Mapping" – UniNews Online Article, undated, describing a presentation on Etak and the GIS market Patent References – Previous Art Reference in Patent by Trimble Inc of ETAK Navigator "Etak Enhances Its Digital Map Databases Nationwide to Extend Functionality" (Tele Atlas press release), June 7, 1999 "Article from Royal Institute of Navigation conference in 1985" - Technical description of the original ETAK Navigator 1985 "the-forgotten-story-of-etaks-amazing-1985-car-navigation-system" - Article from FastCompany July 2015 Benj Edwards "MIT Professor gives Prehistoric car navigation system a road test" - Article from the San Jose Mercury News "First-Hand: Etak, an early vehicle navigation system" - Article posted at the Engineering and Technology History Wiki "early ETAK files and photos" - early ETAK staff photos, articles, first product brochure Navigation system companies Companies based in Menlo Park, California Former News Corporation subsidiaries Former Sony subsidiaries