~ Map Share community updates help drivers avoid delays on route ~
CONCORD, Mass. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — June 28, 2012 — Starting today, TomTom is enabling all of its 60 million portable navigation devices to receive free daily map changes via the TomTom Map Share community. Map Share enables drivers to keep their maps up-to-date by making immediate changes on their device and to receive similar updates from the Map Share community around the world. Map Share was previously only available on a limited number of TomTom devices.
Map Share technology enables drivers to keep the TomTom map on their device up-to-date with immediate changes in their area. Dynamic road changes, such as changed speed limits, new street names, blocked roads and new traffic directions can be updated directly on the device. Drivers then have the choice to share those road changes with TomTom and the broader Map Share community. All TomTom customers can now download daily Map Share changes for free.
“Roads change all the time. Overnight, roads can close or traffic can be diverted, having a big impact on people’s journey times,” says Corinne Vigreux, Managing Director from TomTom. “With Map Share, drivers can update their own map themselves right away. Plus, we have an active community of drivers who share around 250,000 road changes with TomTom and each other every month. We are pleased to expand our community, because the more people who use Map Share the greater the navigation experience for all our customers.”
Map Share enables people to quickly and easily report and share the most frequent road changes. More structural, long-term changes such as the addition of roads or roundabouts are validated and updated within TomTom’s maps and made available on a quarterly basis. TomTom applies a hybrid approach to map-making that includes the combination of authoritative sources, such as field collection, government data or satellite imagery, with community input to ensure its maps accurately reflect reality.
Availability
Map Share is already available for many TomTom customers. Starting today, all TomTom Start, VIA and GO customers will be able to receive free daily map changes form the TomTom Map Share Community via a simple, free software update.
A video providing an overview of TomTom’s Map Share can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6O23csHkMk.
Notes for editors
Daily map changes include the more dynamic, frequent changes that drivers are likely to encounter such as:
- Changed speed limits
- New street names
- Blocked roads
- New traffic directions
- Altered turn restrictions
Drivers have control over which daily map changes they load onto their device. They can choose to accept changes submitted by some or many other Map Share users, or only those verified by TomTom.
Quarterly map updates are still be available for all TomTom devices, either for a fee or free with devices eligible for lifetime map updates.
About TomTom
Founded in 1991, TomTom (AEX:TOM2) is the world’s leading supplier of in-car location and navigation products and services focused on providing all drivers with the world’s best navigation experience. Headquartered in Amsterdam, TomTom has over 3,500 employees and sells its products in over 40 countries. Our products include portable navigation devices, in-dash infotainment systems, fleet management solutions, maps and real-time services, including the award winning TomTom HD Traffic.
For the world’s most up-to-date route planner, including live traffic information go to www.tomtom.com/livetraffic.
For further information, please visit www.tomtom.com.
Contact:
TomTom
Lea Armstrong, 978-405-1840
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