TomTom NV is a Dutch company that produces traffic, navigation and mapping products. It also makes action cameras, GPS sports watches, fleet management systems, and location based products. By 2015 TomTom's business has four business units: Consumer, Automotive, Licensing and Telematics, where it sells and licenses its technology and products.
Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Amsterdam, TomTom was originally named Palmtop Software, founded by Peter-Frans Pauwels, Pieter Geelen, Harold Goddijn and Corinne Vigreux. Today the company has 4,600 employees worldwide and sells products in more than 50 countries. It has 56 offices in 37 countries.
In 2004 TomTom launched its first personal navigation device (PND), creating a new consumer electronics category. The company has sold nearly 80 million PND devices worldwide.
In 2008, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas, a maker of digital maps, for EUR2.9 billion.
On June 11, 2012, at the event for Apple iOS 6 preview, TomTom was announced as the premier mapping data provider for Apple's updated iOS 6 apps "Maps", replacing Google Maps.
In 2013, TomTom entered the GPS sports watch market, and in 2014, launched an action camera, Bandit.
By the end of 2015, TomTom expanded its deal with Apple and signed a new contract with Uber's international transportation network. The Uber driver application now uses TomTom maps and traffic data in 300 cities around the world. In May 2018, TomTom launched the new TomTom Go Camper portable navigation device to meet the needs of caravan and motorcycle users.
Main dates
Video TomTom
TomTom Group business structure
Consumer
The TomTom Consumer Business focuses on the creation of location-based products that give consumers the knowledge they need to get where they want to go. Their consumer activities are focused on drive and sports categories; products include PND, GPS sports watches, and smartphone navigation apps. By the end of 2017, the Consumer division accounts for about 45% of TomTom's revenue.
Automotive and License
The TomTom automotive business provides modular components (maps) and traffic and navigation software for car manufacturers and 1 Tier head vendor. Each component can be integrated as a stand-alone product, or incorporated into the Connected Navigation System. The TomTom license branch sells TomTom maps, traffic and navigation software. It also offers cloud-based products and platforms that allow developers access to create applications that are enabled for business and government locations. Licensing focuses on two types of customers:
- B2B2C, where TomTom products are incorporated in end-user applications such as smartphones and tablets, and on the internet
- B2B, serving professional users for location-based applications such as geographic information system providers (GIS), government agencies and traffic management institutions
By the end of 2017, the Automotive and Licensing division accounts for about 37% of TomTom's revenue.
Telematics
TomTom Telematics is a business-to-business division of TomTom and has been in operation since 2005. This TomTom arm specializes in telematics, providing vehicle tracking, navigation, two-way communication, job scheduling, and reporting capabilities to the organization. In 2010, TomTom said that it provides its services to over 125,000 vehicles operating in Europe. Telematics offers fleet management solutions for commercial fleets and is also a partner for the insurance industry to provide usage-based insurance products. WEBFLEET software-as-a-service (SaaS) Telematics solutions enable integration with third-party applications and offer information security certified to ISO 27001 standards. By the end of 2017, Telematics division accounts for about 18% of TomTom's revenue.
Maps TomTom
Products
TomTom as a company offers five types of products: navigation devices, dashboard navigation and car control services, navigation software for installations on mobile devices, sports watches, and action cameras. The in-dashboard system was released for the automotive market. Navigation devices and portable devices with installed software are referred to as units . TomTom Business Solutions products offer telematics services for fleet management, aimed at the business market. The latest of these is the GO 9000 which provides telematics services in portable units of the same size as the TomTom sat navs.
The TomTom unit provides a fly interface with oblique eye view paths, as well as direct-overhead map view. They use a GPS receiver to pinpoint the exact location and provide visual and verbal instructions on how to drive to the specified destination. Some TomTom systems also integrate with mobile phones using Bluetooth, traffic congestion maps or to actually receive calls and read SMS messages aloud.
TomTom HOME is a 32-bit PC app that allows syncing/updates to be sent to mobile devices. The container states that it is compatible with Mac OSÃ,¬ v10.3 or greater and Windows ME/2000/XP/Vista/7/8/8.1 (see reference above). After installation, it has the option to select the device to be associated and activate the software. A warning is given that the software only allows one device to be attributed to an email address and the associated device can only be changed after 14 days since the previous association. TomTom HOME version 2.0 and above are implemented on the XULRunner platform. With version 2.2, TomTom HOME adds a content sharing platform where users can download and upload content to personalize their devices like sound, start-up images, POI sets, etc. Currently TomTom HOME is in version 2.9.
Although it's based on cross-platform XULRunner, TomTom Home does not have support for Linux (and most likely it will never support, because most NAV2 devices are legacy models now). For example, it is not possible to update the map on this device by connecting it to other computers running Linux, even when using a common web browser like Firefox that normally allows such updates when run under Microsoft Windows. But the device can still be read on Linux OS as disk drive. There is even software created by the community to manage some TomTom functions.
Various models of NAV3 and NAV4 using MyDrive Connect. MyDrive Connect is compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10 previews and with most Mac OS. The internal flash memory or the device's memory card contents can no longer be accessed via USB for security reasons (modified apps will easily receive maps that are not sold by TomTom). The device can update itself by obtaining files via the HTTP protocol via USB. The Support app is nothing more than a proxy on a PC that buffers downloads. So far the security achieved by using this mechanism has not been solved. It is also worth mentioning that the use of non-FAT/FAT32 file systems brings stability improvements in device operation. On the downside, some users may experience compatibility issues between their PCs, devices and the MyDrive Connect support app. For that matter, TomTom Customer Service or community forum members can usually provide solutions.
TomTom on smartphone
Navigation software for some phones stopped after release 5.2; The navigator, which does not support all the phones that the phone does, is the nearest one. Mobile 5.2 can not use the map slower than v6.60 build 1223; this and previous program versions are not compatible with all map versions, especially other 6 versions.
This is not supported by TomTom anymore.
TomTom for iOS devices
The version for the iPhone was announced at the Keynote Apple WWDC keynote in early June 2009, and was released internationally on August 15, 2009 at the Apple App Store, with various map packages for different regions. TomTom Vice President of Marketing Development gave information in an interview by Macworld in July 2009.
Currently this app works with iPhone (all models), iPod Touch (all models) and iPad (all models), but Apple has declined support for initial models and the latest version of TomTom iOS app may have problems with certain devices. There are two TomTom car kits available for certain Apple devices. Maps currently available in each country's app store 'vary according to the language availability of the app itself, the state of the app store, and thus different map maps of available area groups.
Turkey and Greece are not included in the larger European map package ; this is related to the AppStore App size limit of 2 GB. These maps are available separately. Iceland is not available in any map package sold by TomTom at the moment, but they are working on it (and some other countries as well). There will also likely be new iOS apps available, based on NavKit, which may cure issues with size limits (also Apple raises the app size limit to 4GB).
TomTom for Android devices
There is an app for Android, called TomTom GO Mobile. This replaces the old app, which has similar features to the iOS app. In March 2015, TomTom announced the new Tom Mobile Tom Mobile app for Android with a freemium subscription model for maps with 50 miles/75 kilometers per month free first, including all available maps, TomTom Traffic and Speed ​​Cameras. The previous app, which has promised "free lifetime updates," is not available for purchase on the Play Store anymore and the map has not been updated since October 2015. TomTom claims their definition of lifetime map updates is "the period of time TomTom continues to support apps with updates". Previous customers of the TomTom Android navigation app are offered a three-year subscription discount in new apps. There is no provision for users who want to keep using old apps in the conditions sold with lifetime map updates.
Partnership with Apple (iOS 6 Maps)
In September 2012, Apple collaborated with TomTom to provide mapping data to update the updated Apple Maps iOS 6 app. The partnership was partly due to Apple's decision to wean itself from its competitor, Google.
TomTom speed camera app
TomTom introduces free speed camera apps by the end of 2015.
TomTom partners with several car manufacturers and offers an integrated navigation solution.
Services
TomTom PLUS
The company offers a fee-based service under the name TomTom PLUS, which includes services to alert drivers about speed cameras, provide weather updates, change sounds and provide traffic alerts. Currently the fee is only for European countries.
Traffic data is also available for customers in many parts of Europe and the US via Bluetooth mobile phones with Internet service or air add-ons, which retrieve RDS data (broadcasted on FM radio frequencies) that offer unqualified traffic information for data connections. TomTom Plus service is not compatible with Apple iPhone.
TomTom LIVE Service
In October 2008 the company released LIVE Services on GO 940 LIVE. This allows users to receive updates over the mobile phone network using the SIM card in the device. These services include HD Traffic, Safety Alerts, Local Search with Google, and Fuel Prices.
On May 12, 2011, TomTom announced that it offers real-time traffic products for "industry partners" in the United States.
On the latest NAV4 devices, this service is no longer available in the old form. The included service has been separated and is now called TomTom Traffic and Speed ​​â € <â €
Map Sharing is an exclusive map technology launched by TomTom in June 2007. Map Sharing allows users to make changes to the map on their navigation device and share it with others. This allows the driver to make changes to their map directly on their navigation device. Drivers can block or unblock roads, change traffic directions, edit street names and add, edit, or delete points of interest (POI). Improvements can be shared with other users through TomTom HOME, TomTom's content management software.
Versi online bernama Map Share Reporter ada di situs web TomTom.
TomTom Traffic (sebelumnya HD Traffic)
A traffic monitoring service that uses multiple sources to provide traffic information. The service does this by combining data from:
- Traditional sources: Government/third party data such as induction loops on the road, camera and traffic control
- new sources: traffic flow of millions of anonymous mobile phone users
Such information is combined by TomTom and the algorithm is used to improve data and filter out anomalous readings. The system sends updates to all TomTom Traffic users every two minutes (and user-received data is never more than 30 seconds). Users can receive services via internal SIM, via smartphone connection or on older devices via standard phone connection. Re-routing can be set to be transparent to users with the only sign that the route has been changed because traffic congestion becomes voice indication of the modified device and ETA.
The system was first launched in the Netherlands in 2007, and expanded to the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland in 2008. In mid-2011, TomTom live services, including TomTom Traffic available in the United States, South Africa, New Zealand and the following 17 European countries : Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and England. By 2015, the service is highly developed and coverage is currently available on the TomTom Traffic site (34 countries on 26/05/2015 and this list evolves every few months into the new territory).
TomTom Traffic Improvement
- Traffic HD 6.0 (August 2012): Traffic congestion location more accurate, increased coverage of road closures detected automatically
- TomTom Traffic 7.0 (September 2013): The accuracy of the upgraded clock location now allows 'Ahead Clock', warning the driver when approaching the fast clock is too fast. Increased coverage of automatic road closure detection began to include also major secondary roads. Automatic road detection works on the highway. TomTom also added 'Predictive Flow Feed' for better approximation of near-expected traffic delays, with the goal of improving the calculation of optimal routes and ETA.
- TomTom Traffic 8.0 (November 2014): TomTom includes real-time weather information in its routing algorithm, and warns users in bad weather areas. In addition, version 8.0 is now integrated in real-time road traffic information closure reported through the online Map Share Reporter tool.
IQ Route
The IQ route, developed by TomTom and available since Spring 2008 on TomTom GO 730 & amp; 930, using anonymous travel time data collected by users of TomTom satnav devices. The newer TomTom devices use this data to take account time and day when determining the fastest route.
Travel time data is stored in the Historical Speed ​​Profile, one for each road segment, covering major roads, main roads and small local roads. The Historic Speed ​​profile is part of a digital map and updated with each new map release. They provide insight into real-world traffic patterns. This is a fact-based routing system based on measured travel times, compared to most other methods that use speed limits or 'assumed' speeds.
In September 2008, a map upgrade v8.10 was released for the x20 series model, extending the IQ Routes feature to the device with a free software update using TomTom Home.
In the NAV3 and NAV4 models, the IQ Route feature is available by default in all map versions.
Enhanced Positioning Technology
Offers ongoing navigation, even when the navigation device can not receive GPS satellite signals (eg in tunnels or among tall buildings).
Mapping
TomTom products use Tele Atlas-based maps. Map errors are reported using Tele Atlas Map Insight and TomTom Map Share Reporter Tool (preferred tool). Reports can be done via the device as well. This report is processed and approved/rejected by TomTom staff members and end products synced via the TomTom support app, such as TomTom HOME for NAV2 and MyDrive Connect devices for NAV3 and NAV4 devices. This support app is available for Windows or Mac OS X-based computers.
Map is not universally compatible on TomTom devices; while most maps are available for most modern devices, a compatible version should be used. The version number has a 3-digit number that identifies the primary version, a dot, and a 4-digit wake number. Major versions of v940, for example, are available for most areas and most devices, but different versions are available for different regions and devices, and support various features. Supporting applications ensure that the correct version of the map is assigned to download. For NAV2 devices one must purchase maps through the TomTom HOME support app and for NAV3 and NAV4 devices, one should get updates through the TomTom web shop.
Controversy
In April 2011, TomTom "apologizes for supplying driving data collected from customers to the police for use in catching speeding motorists". The company has collected data from its Dutch customers who then used Dutch police to install targeted speed traps. As a result, TomTom was investigated by the Dutch Data Protection Agency (nl: Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens), which found that TomTom did not violate the Dutch Data Protection Act (nl: Wet bescherming persoonsgegevens).
In 2011, TomTom enhanced the clarity of its explanation of how to use data collected from its customers.
In May 2011, the company announced that it plans to sell aggregate customer information to the Australian Roads and Traffic Authority, which is also potentially used for targeted speed enforcement.
The privacy implications of this announcement are widely reported, especially the lack of anonymity and the potential to associate data with individuals. The company's practice of selling user data has been criticized by Electronic Frontiers Australia. David Vaile of New South Wales University's Cyberspace Law and Policy Center has requested independent technical analysis of the company's data collection practices. The TomTom navigation device collects user data that includes the origin, destination, travel time, speed and route taken. The Australian Privacy Foundation says it will be easy to track data back to individual customers, even if TomTom claims using only the anonymous data it collects.
TomTom VP Marketing Chris Kearney insists that the information is completely anonymous. In addition, he said TomTom had never sold the information to the Dutch authorities by considering the speed of the camera, although Kearney would not rule out selling user data for similar use in Australia.
The data is purchased from various mapping companies by the government on a fairly regular basis. It is not known whether the government uses this data for purposes other than speed camera placement, such as to improve road networks, introduce traffic lights or find accident hotspots.
Competition
TomTom's main SatT Nav competitors are Garmin.
The main contender of the main autonomous driving map of TomTom is Here which is owned by a consortium of German automotive companies (ie Volkswagen, BMW, and Daimler).
References
External links
- Official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments