NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES

In the disclosed navigation system, a distinctive object at an intersection or branch point already registered is recognized by image recognition in order that necessary action can be taken at the earliest opportunity by obtaining information as to the road on which the vehicle has advanced from the intersection or the branch point. The road on which the vehicle has advanced at the intersection or branch point is determined from the direction of relative movement of the distinctive object in the recognized image. Also, in order that easily understandable guidance can be provided even when intersections are in close proximity and even when a distinctive object is newly installed or removed at the intersection, assuming that the present position as detected is on the predetermined and guided route, a guidance message is composed by reading data relating to a point on the guided route, ahead of the present position, in the data stored in the information storage unit. The imaging is of the area of the road ahead using a video camera and the position of the distinctive object recognized in the image relative to the guidance point is determined and the preset guidance message is corrected based on that determination.