Mapping the autonomous future: TomTom launches HD navigation data for 17 states

By Andrew Hard Published June 8, 2016

TU-Automotive Detroit is known as “the undisputed home of the connected car,” and as such, each year brings a plethora of announcements concerning infotainment and autonomous driving. This time around, navigation specialist TomTom covered both.

The biggest reveal is that the Dutch brand has officially launched HD Map and RoadDNA data for 17 new states, both of which provide essential information for carmakers developing self-driving technology. In total, TomTom has mapped out 20 states.

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“With over 122,000 kilometers of HD Map coverage globally, we’re equipping our automotive customers with the data needed to continue to push autonomous driving forward,” said Willem Strijbosch, head of autonomous driving at TomTom. “The importance of having a map in the vehicle for autonomous driving is now widely accepted; TomTom has responded to this need with an unprecedented ability to provide HD Maps today, while others are still in the R&D stage.”

Read more: TomTom’s Trucker 5000 is specifically suited for big and tall driving

HD Map and RoadDNA data is now available for interstates in the following areas: Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, California, Michigan, and Nevada. TomTom also covers Germany’s famous Autobahn network.

Volvo interior — Image used with permission by copyright holder

It wasn’t all about driverless tech at TU-Automotive Detroit though, because TomTom made another big announcement regarding infotainment — the brand has signed a deal to provide location and navigation content for Volvo Cars starting in 2019. The new services will be built into the Swedish automaker’s new infotainment system, which will be available on cars riding on the SPA platform (XC90, S90, V90) as well as the upcoming CMA architecture.

“We are extremely pleased to announce this collaboration between TomTom and Volvo Cars, one of the most respected car brands in the world,” said Antoine Saucier, managing director of TomTom Automotive. “Thanks to the trust that Volvo Cars has put into TomTom’s products, we are uniquely positioned in the automotive industry to offer Volvo Cars future-proof systems that meet the rapidly changing market requirements.”

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