TomTom facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
TomTom N.V.

Logo used since 2022
Headquarter building in Amsterdam
Formerly	Palmtop B.V. (until 2003)
Type	Naamloze Vennootschap
Traded as	Euronext Amsterdam: TOM2
Industry	Consumer electronics, navigation technology
Founded	1991; 34 years ago (1991)
Founder	Harold Goddijn Corinne Vigreux Peter-Frans Pauwels Pieter Geelen
Headquarters	De Ruijterkade 154, 1011 AC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key people	Harold Goddijn (CEO), Corinne Vigreux (CMO and co-founder), Taco Titulaer (CFO), Derk Haank (chairman of the supervisory board), Alain De Taeye (management board)
Products	devices, digital map, software and services
Revenue	€ 701 million (2019)
Operating income	€ 56 million (2018)
Net income	€ 45 million (2018)
Total assets	€ 1.5 billion (2018)
Total equity	€ 774 million (2018)
Number of employees	4,500 (end of 2019)

TomTom is a Dutch company that creates location technology and electronics. It was started in 1991 and has its main office in Amsterdam, Netherlands. TomTom became famous for its GPS navigation devices, which first came out in 2004. By 2019, the company had over 4,500 employees around the world. They work in 29 countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

TomTom's Journey: A History

TomTom started in Amsterdam in 1991. It was first called Palmtop Software. The founders were Corinne Vigreux, Peter-Frans Pauwels, and Pieter Geelen. At first, the company made software for business handheld devices. These were like early smartphones.

Later, they started focusing on everyday users. In 1996, they released their first software to plan routes on mobile devices. They made a lot of software for Psion devices. By 1999, Harold Goddijn joined the company. He had invested in TomTom before. In 2001, the company changed its name to TomTom.

In 2005, TomTom became a public company. This means its shares could be bought and sold on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. This made the company worth almost €50 million. TomTom also bought other companies. In 2006, they bought Applied Generics, which helped create TomTom Traffic. In 2008, they bought Tele Atlas, a company that makes digital maps. This was a big step for TomTom.

In 2010, TomTom made a famous advertisement. It said: "You are not stuck in traffic. You are traffic." This phrase became very popular online.

In 2012, Apple announced that TomTom would provide map data for its new Apple Maps app. This app replaced Google Maps on Apple's iOS 6. TomTom also worked with car companies like Volkswagen, Daimler, and Toyota. They provided navigation systems for their cars.

By 2015, TomTom expanded its deal with Apple. They also signed a new contract with Uber. Uber's driver app now uses TomTom maps and traffic data in many cities. In 2018, TomTom released a new device called the TomTom Go Camper. It was made for people who use caravans and motorhomes.

In 2020, TomTom made a deal with the Chinese company Huawei. Huawei uses TomTom's map data in its Petal Maps service. This service is a replacement for Google Maps on Huawei smartphones.

How TomTom Products Evolved

Before 1996, TomTom made software for businesses. This included programs for reading meters and barcodes on handheld devices. These devices were like the Palm Pilot and Compaq iPaq. Then, TomTom started making software for personal digital assistants (PDAs). These were for regular people. Early mapping software included EnRoute and Citymaps.

By 2001, TomTom released its first car navigation software. It was called TomTom Navigator. This changed the company's main focus to GPS car navigation. In 2004, they added a service to get traffic updates. You had to pay for this service.

The first all-in-one navigation device was the TomTom Go. It came out in March 2004. This device created a whole new type of electronics for consumers. By 2016, TomTom had sold almost 80 million navigation devices worldwide.

In 2005, TomTom added the ability to download new voices for navigation. In 2006, they released the TomTom Rider. This was a tough, water-resistant navigation device for motorcycles. It was the first portable GPS made for motorcycles and scooters.

New features came out in 2006. These included text-to-speech for road names. This meant the device could say the names of streets. They also added hands-free calling and traffic support. TomTom Home software was also released. This program helped users manage and download content for their TomTom devices on a computer.

In 2007, TomTom worked with Vodafone. They created a special traffic service. It gave real-time traffic data to Vodafone users.

In 2008, TomTom introduced IQ Routes. This feature estimated travel times based on how fast people actually drove. It did not just use speed limits. They also added "Advanced Lane Guidance." This showed drivers which lane to take.

Later in 2008, devices with built-in SIM cards came out. These allowed for connected features. This included HD Traffic and real-time speed camera updates.

In 2013, TomTom started making GPS sports watches. They launched the TomTom Runner and TomTom Multi-Sport GPS. In 2014, they added the Runner Cardio GPS. This watch had a built-in heart rate monitor.

In 2015, TomTom launched a new product: the Bandit action camera. It had a built-in media server. This made it easy to share videos quickly.

In 2016, the TomTom Spark sports watch came out. It had GPS, a heart-rate monitor, music, and an activity tracker. However, in 2017, TomTom announced it would stop making consumer sports products. They would still support existing products. In 2023, they announced that support for sports watches would end in September 2023.

In 2018, TomTom became the main supplier of map data for Apple's map app.

How TomTom Works as a Business

TomTom focuses on two main types of customers: businesses and large organizations.

Location Technology

This part of TomTom's business provides maps and navigation software. These are used as parts of other companies' products.

• For Cars: TomTom sells its location technology to carmakers. Their navigation software is built into cars. It provides map data, routes, and search information. This helps with features like predicting where you want to go. It also shows traffic or where to charge electric cars.
• For Companies: TomTom also sells its location technology to tech companies, governments, and traffic management groups.

Consumer Products

This part of TomTom's business sells portable GPS navigation devices. These used to be their main source of income. However, fewer people buy standalone GPS devices now. This is because smartphones have built-in navigation apps.

TomTom has been changing its focus. They are moving from selling devices to offering software apps and digital map services. This change is happening because standalone GPS devices are less profitable. Also, self-driving cars are becoming more common.

TomTom's Products and Services

TomTom offers three main types of products: maps, connected services, and navigation software. You can buy TomTom Navigation devices (PNDs) and TomTom GO navigation apps. TomTom also partners with car manufacturers. They offer built-in navigation systems for many car brands.

Navigation Systems

A TomTom One in use

TomTom Navigator 7 running on a HTC TyTN II (Windows Mobile)

TomTom Navigator running on a Nokia N95 (Symbian)

TomTom Self Driving Test Vehicle

TomTom devices show you the road from a bird's-eye view. They also have a direct overhead map view. They use a GPS receiver to find your exact location. Then, they give you visual and spoken directions to your destination. Some TomTom systems can connect to mobile phones using Bluetooth. This allows them to show traffic congestion maps or make hands-free calls. They can even read SMS messages aloud.

Navigation Devices

TomTom's all-in-one GPS navigation devices have a touch screen, speaker, and USB port. They also have an internal Lithium ion battery. Most models have Bluetooth. This lets them connect to a smartphone. You can then use the device as a speakerphone for hands-free calls.

• TomTom Go, Via and Start – These are general navigation devices.
• TomTom Camper & Caravan / RV – These models have maps with height and width limits. You can enter your vehicle's size and weight. This helps plan routes that avoid roads too small for your vehicle.
• TomTom Truck – These are made for professional truck drivers. They include special software and maps for trucks.
• TomTom Rider – These are portable, water-resistant models for motorcycle and motorscooter users. They are partly shielded and have a screen that is easy to use with gloves.
• TomTom One and One XL – The TomTom One is a basic car navigation model. The TomTom One XL has a larger touch screen. These models do not have all the extra features of the Go models. However, they can get traffic and weather updates.

Navigation Software

Current

• TomTom Go Navigator (formerly TomTom Go Mobile) is a GPS navigation app for Android phones. It replaced an older app. In 2015, TomTom announced this new app. It uses a "freemium" model. This means the first 50 miles (75 kilometers) per month are free. This includes all maps, TomTom Traffic, and Speed Cameras.
• TomTom AmiGO (formerly TomTom Speed Cameras) is a free mobile app released in 2015. It gives turn-by-turn directions and speed camera alerts. Users can also submit information to the app. It is a community-driven app and is free to use.

Former

• TomTom Navigator was GPS navigation software for personal digital assistants (PDAs) and some smartphones. It could use GPS receivers built into the device or external ones. Navigator 7 was the last version. It ran on many devices using the Windows Mobile operating system.
• TomTom for iOS was GPS navigation software for iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad. It was first announced in 2009. Different map packs were available for different regions. In September 2012, Apple worked with TomTom to get map data for its updated Apple Maps app. Apple wanted to use less data from its competitor, Google. As of 2018, TomTom still provides data for Apple Maps.

Support Applications

TomTom Home is a computer program for Windows. It helps you update your TomTom device. You can also download new voices, start-up images, and points of interest (POIs). TomTom Home is currently on version 2.9.

Newer TomTom models (NAV3 and NAV4) use MyDrive Connect. This program is compatible with Windows and Mac OS X. For security reasons, you cannot directly access the device's memory through USB. The device updates itself by downloading files over the internet.

Traffic Services

TomTom offers a traffic monitoring service. It uses many sources to give traffic information. It combines data from:

• Traditional sources: like sensors in roads and traffic cameras.
• New sources: like the traffic flow from millions of anonymous mobile phone users.

TomTom combines this information. Then, special computer programs improve the data. The system sends updates to all TomTom Traffic users every two minutes. The data users receive is very fresh, never older than 30 seconds. Users can get this service through a built-in SIM card or a smartphone connection. The system can even change your route automatically if there's a traffic jam. You might only hear a sound and see a new arrival time.

This service first started in the Netherlands in 2007. By 2015, it was available in 34 countries.

• HD Traffic 6.0 (2012): This version gave more accurate locations of traffic jams. It also improved how it found closed roads.
• TomTom Traffic 7.0 (2013): This version increased the accuracy of jam locations. It could warn drivers if they were approaching a jam too fast. It also started to include road closures on smaller roads. It could even detect road work on highways.
• TomTom Traffic 8.0 (2014): This version included real-time weather information in its routing. It warned users about bad weather areas. It also used road closures reported by users through the Map Share Reporter tool.

Consumer Services

TomTom offers services you pay for, called TomTom Plus. These services can warn drivers about speed cameras. They also provide weather updates and traffic alerts. You can also change the voices on your device.

In October 2008, TomTom released Live Services. These allowed devices to get updates over the mobile phone network. This included HD Traffic, Safety Alerts, and Local Search with Google.

On the latest NAV4 devices, these services are now called TomTom Traffic and Speed Cameras. On some models, the traffic service is free. The speed camera service is free for three months on these models. However, newer models (x10/x100) come with a free lifetime speed camera subscription.

Map Share is a special map technology launched by TomTom in 2007. It lets users make changes to the maps on their devices. They can then share these changes with others. Drivers can block or unblock streets. They can change the direction of traffic. They can also edit street names and add or remove points of interest (POIs). These improvements can be shared using TomTom Home software.

There is also an online version called Map Share Reporter on the TomTom website.

IQ Routes, developed by TomTom, uses anonymous travel time data. This data comes from other TomTom users. Newer TomTom devices use this data to find the fastest route. They consider the time of day when planning. This system is based on actual measured travel times. Most other methods use speed limits.

IQ Routes is available by default on all map versions for NAV3 and NAV4 models.

Mapping Technology

TomTom has been working with car parts maker Bosch since 2015. They are developing maps for self-driving cars. Bosch set the rules for how detailed these maps needed to be. TomTom's new maps need to be very precise. They need to show details down to a few inches. This helps a self-driving car "see" road features as it drives.

In 2015, TomTom was one of the few independent companies making digital maps. They partnered with car brands like Volkswagen and Uber. TomTom and Uber work together to put TomTom maps and traffic data into Uber's app. Uber also helps update the maps. This makes Uber one of the first partners in TomTom's Map Editing Partnership (MEP) program.

In the MEP program, users give feedback on road conditions. This helps update live maps. The program estimates 3 million edits are made each month by its partners. Apple has used data from TomTom for its Maps app since 2012. However, in January 2020, Apple said it would no longer use TomTom data. It would rely on its own map system.

As of 2019, TomTom said 800 million people use its products. This includes hardware and apps that use TomTom technology. In 2019, TomTom sold its telematics division to Bridgestone. This was to focus more on digital maps and software services. TomTom Telematics is now called Webfleet Solutions.

TomTom also works with Microsoft and Moovit. They use real-time driving and parking data. They also made map and navigation deals with car companies like Nissan, Fiat Chrysler, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Bentley. TomTom also launched Atlas Lab with the University of Amsterdam. This lab researches how to use AI for HD maps in autonomous vehicles.

TomTom is developing High Definition (HD) maps for self-driving cars. These maps provide very accurate information about the environment. In 2019, TomTom announced it would supply HD maps to "multiple top 10" car manufacturers. These maps offer centimeter accuracy. They also announced a "map horizon" feature. This lets self-driving cars create a virtual picture of the road ahead in real-time.

TomTom partnered with Volvo in 2019. They built a Volvo XC90 car that can drive itself completely. This car has special sensors. They collect data about the car's surroundings. This data is used to improve TomTom's HD maps. TomTom also collects camera data through a partnership with Hella Aglaia. This data helps update the new HD maps technology in real-time.

In early 2020, TomTom announced a deal with Huawei Technologies. Huawei will use TomTom's maps, data, and navigation tools. This will help Huawei develop its own apps for Chinese smartphones.

TomTom also helps with OpenStreetMap. This is a project where people create free maps. TomTom's vice president of community is one of the founders of OpenStreetMap.

TomTom has been collecting live and historical data since 2008. They analyze data from connected devices and their users. TomTom also uses its "MoMa" vehicles (mobile mapping). These vehicles drive over 3 billion kilometers each year. They use radar and LiDAR cameras. They capture 375 million images annually. This helps them find road changes. These changes are then checked and used to update the maps. TomTom processes about 2 billion map changes every month. This keeps maps current and accurate. The company releases an updated map database every week.

Who TomTom Competes With

TomTom's main competitors for car navigation devices are MiTAC (which owns Navman and Magellan Navigation) and Garmin.

For self-driving car HD maps, TomTom's main competitor is Here. Here is owned by a group of German car companies. These include Audi, BMW, and Daimler.

See also

• Azure Maps which uses TomTom map data and services
• Comparison of commercial GPS software

Images for kids

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  TomTom logo

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  TomTom's main office in Amsterdam