TomTom Intros GPS Units with IQ Routes

TomTom has unveiled new GPS systems that can calculate routes based on recorded driving speed data, rather than posted speed limits.

GPS manufacturer TomTom has unveiled two new in-vehicle GPS systems, the Go 930 and Go 730, both of which will feature IQ Routes, a new route calculation system that uses data from actual speeds driven on roads rather than posted speed limits. The result might be a route that’s a little unexpected or a little longer, but which can more reliably get users to their destinations faster than merely conventional routing.

"With the introduction of IQ Routes) technology, we continue to focus our efforts on features and content that improves the core navigation experience," said TomTom president Jocelyn Vigreux, in a statement. "IQ Routes delivers what we call ‘intelligent routing’—an even smarter and more efficient way of planning your daily route that will help TomTom Go users save time, fuel, and money."

According to TomTom, IQ Routes uses data from actual average speeds measures on roads, rather than posted speed limits for those same routes, resulting in routing information that’s closer to reality. The units consider all possible routes to a destination and use recent historical data to select the one that gets users to their destinations more quickly.

The new Go units also feature TomTom’s Advanced Land Guidance feature, which offers realistic representations of complex interchanges and junctions, with lane-specific directions that can help users navigate confusing roads.

The TomTom Go 930 and 730 feature 4.3-inch touch screen displays, hands-free Bluetooth calling, a built-in FM transmitter for playing music and navigation instructions over a vehicle’s audio system, a TomTom RDS-TMC traffic receiver for traffic data, spoken turn instructions, and TomTom’s MapShare technology that enables users to receive map updates made by other TomTom users. Both units come with maps of the U.S. and Canada, while the TomTom Go 930 also features a dead-reckoning accelerometer and maps of Western and Central Europe. Expect the Go 930 to retail for about $550, with the Go 730 going for about $500; both should be available in April.