TomTom and Uber Renew Their Global Technological Partnership
Dutch mapping technology specialist TomTom and mobility platform Uber have announced the renewal of their partnership agreement. According to the announcement, this collaboration aims to integrate TomTom's maps, APIs, and real-time services across Uber’s global platform.
Enhancing Key Features
The integration of TomTom's maps and APIs aims to optimize several key features of the Uber platform, the group indicates. The system particularly concerns route calculation, fare estimation, and the accuracy of geolocation for pickups and drop-offs, especially in complex environments such as airports, train stations, and stadiums. According to the company, this technological enhancement aims to reduce travel times and uncertainty for drivers and passengers, while enhancing overall operational efficiency. Amit Fulay, Vice President of Product at Uber, stated that accurate mapping is a critical element in providing a fast and intuitive experience on the group's mobility and delivery platforms.
Data Update Mechanism
The partnership relies on a mutual data update mechanism, according to the announcement. TomTom's mapping platform continuously integrates information from thousands of data providers and processes billions of data points to keep its maps up-to-date. The agreement provides that information from actual trips made on the Uber platform is automatically processed and integrated into TomTom's maps. According to the group, this process helps improve the updating of data concerning roads, traffic restrictions, and closures. Mike Schoofs, Managing Director of TomTom, indicated that this deepened partnership allows for the provision of the group's full range of data sets and services, including highly accurate maps and mapping APIs, to enhance Uber's geolocation solutions.
Exploring New Opportunities
The two companies plan to explore new opportunities to introduce additional tools based on geolocation, according to the announcement. This expansion would aim to broaden the capabilities of the Uber platform and further enhance the overall user experience. TomTom, which provides location data and technologies to drivers, automakers, businesses, and developers, processes data from millions of sources. The Dutch group offers ready-to-use maps, routing solutions, real-time traffic information, as well as APIs and software development kits. Uber, launched in 2010, claims more than 68 billion rides since its inception and develops mobility and delivery products.
