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Uber Partners Up with Navigation Company TomTom

As it was previously reported on numerous occasions, Uber has been looking for a good enough navigation company they would eventually use for their alleged autonomous car fleet. Since the process towards a self-driving taxi is still ongoing, the San Francisco-based giant will use mapping data from the Dutch company for its current shuttle services for now.
TomTom is going to provide navigation services to Uber 1 photo
Photo: skift.com
The partnership was announced today with no financial terms yet disclosed. So far, it’s been stated that TomTom has signed a global, multi-year agreement to provide maps and traffic data for Uber. The two transportation firms claim their partnership will ensure that the taxi app has seamless navigation, accurate arrival times, and efficient journeys in more than 300 cities around the world.

“We are excited to provide Uber with our best-in-class location data,” said Charles Cautley, Managing Director Maps & Licensing at TomTom. “TomTom is a truly independent map provider with the platform for the future. With this platform, TomTom is the trusted partner for innovative and future proof location technology for the global automotive and consumer technology industry.”

Founded in 1991, the Amsterdam-based company currently has over 4,400 employees worldwide and sells its products in 48 countries. Its map-based components include map content, online map-based services, real-time traffic, and navigation software. With their main business products being custom in-dash navigation systems and a fleet management system, TomTom is quite what Uber has been looking for.

However, it should be noted that the Dutch company was not their first choice. According to The Verge, earlier this year, the company offered $3 billion for Nokia’s mapping business, before it was eventually sold to a consortium made of Audi, BMW and Daimler.

Moreover, Uber has also acquired mapping technology and talent from Microsoft and has begun using the IT giant’s fleet of Bing cars to gather street-level imagery, much like Google’s Street View.
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