Skip to main content

TomTom and Volkswagen partner on automated driving

TomTom and Volkswagen Group Research have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to join forces for the development of highly automated driving (HAD) systems. Their aim is to jointly develop the digital map that is essential for automated driving by combining TomTom’s expertise in map content and map making with Volkswagen’s know-how of the car and automated driving. The map that is used today for navigation, including geometry, street names, and addressing, is not sufficient for the future needs of a
October 3, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
1692 TomTom and 994 Volkswagen Group Research have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to join forces for the development of highly automated driving (HAD) systems.

Their aim is to jointly develop the digital map that is essential for automated driving by combining TomTom’s expertise in map content and map making with Volkswagen’s know-how of the car and automated driving.

The map that is used today for navigation, including geometry, street names, and addressing, is not sufficient for the future needs of automated driving. The car’s computer will require much more accurate and up-to-date information about its location and environment than is provided today. This includes for example more detailed information lane markings and traffic lights.

TomTom and Volkswagen Research are working on a concept based on the navigation data standard (NDS) to deliver scalable and cost effective automated driving systems that do not require expensive hardware.

“Partnering with Volkswagen Group Research to develop the future of HAD reaffirms TomTom’s position as a key partner in the automotive market,” said Harold Goddijn, CEO of TomTom. “TomTom’s mapping expertise provides the precise data and scalable technology platform needed to enable highly automated driving in cars.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • IBTTA: ‘The only way to keep up is to stay ahead’
    March 4, 2019
    The focus of the IBTTA’s Annual Technology Summit is changing. The tolling organisation’s Bill Cramer explains why this is good news for ITS professionals looking to embrace new technologies For a decade or more, the technology summits hosted by the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) have helped drive the tolling industry’s embrace of the systems, services and breakthrough concepts that are building a 21st century transportation sector. Now, the summit itself is adjusting its
  • New solutions to old problems set to cut emergency response times
    April 30, 2015
    David Crawford looks at the latest developments in emergency response. Ensuring speedier reactions to transport and travel crises is becoming increasingly important. US statistics suggest that as many as 1,000 ‘saveable’ lives can be lost each year in major cities because of operational defects in their SOS operations.
  • IRD: from the ground up
    September 16, 2021
    IRD is undertaking a comprehensive review of its road safety and monitoring solutions. A series of initiatives is building on the company’s in-pavement expertise, bringing considerable additional value for the customer to the traditional range of products while complementing these with wholly new technologies
  • Saving the smartphone zombies from themselves
    October 15, 2020
    As roads – particularly in cities – become busier, companies are fielding a steady trickle of products to keep pedestrians safe and vehicles flowing