TomTom N.V. is a Dutch company that makes and designs location technology and consumer electronics. It was founded in 1991 and has its main office in Amsterdam. TomTom began selling its first satellite navigation devices in 2004. As of 2019, the company has more than 4,500 employees worldwide and operates in 29 countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas.

History

The company was started in Amsterdam in 1991 as Palmtop Software by Corinne Vigreux, Peter-Frans Pauwels, and Pieter Geelen. At first, the company made software for corporate handheld devices. Later, it focused on the consumer market and released the first route planning software for mobile devices in 1996. Most of its software was made for Psion devices, and the company was one of the largest Psion software developers in the late 1990s. Palmtop also worked with Psion to create EPOC32. Software was also made for Palm and Windows CE devices.

In 1999, Harold Goddijn, the husband of Corinne Vigreux, left Psion Netherlands, where he had previously invested in TomTom and where Vigreux had been a sales director. He joined TomTom. In 2001, the company changed its brand name to TomTom, and by 2003, its legal name was also changed.

On May 27, 2005, TomTom listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, worth about €50 million.

In September 2005, TomTom bought Datafactory AG, a telematics service provider in Leipzig. Datafactory AG had about 30 employees and made around €5 million in sales in 2004, with a small profit.

In January 2006, TomTom acquired Applied Generics, a UK company, and created TomTom Traffic.

In 2008, TomTom bought Tele Atlas, a digital map maker, for €2.9 billion.

In 2010, TomTom made an advertisement that said, "You are not stuck in traffic. You are traffic." A photo of this ad became popular online and was shared widely.

On June 11, 2012, TomTom was announced as the main mapping data provider for Apple’s iOS 6 "Maps" app, replacing Google Maps.

In 2014, TomTom partnered with Volkswagen Group to research highly automated driving systems.

TomTom made deals to provide navigation devices to carmakers like Volkswagen Group, Daimler, Toyota, and others.

In late 2015, TomTom extended its deal with Apple and signed a new contract with Uber. The Uber driver app uses TomTom maps and traffic data in 300 cities worldwide. In May 2018, TomTom launched the TomTom Go Camper, a portable navigation device for caravan and motorhome users.

In January 2018, the company faced criticism for saying it would no longer provide map updates for some devices. It also explained that "lifetime" meant the "useful life" of a device.

In 2020, TomTom signed a deal with Huawei to use its map data in Petal Maps, a replacement for Google Maps on Huawei smartphones.

In June 2025, TomTom announced plans to cut about 300 jobs (about 8–10% of its global workforce) as part of a reorganization to focus on artificial intelligence. The layoffs affected roles in application development, sales, and support. At the time, the company had about 3,600 employees worldwide.

Until 1996, TomTom made business-to-business software for tasks like meter reading and barcode scanning for devices such as Palm Pilot, Compaq iPaq, and Psion Series 5. Later, it focused on consumer PDA software. Early mapping tools included EnRoute, Citymaps, and Routeplanner.

By 2001, TomTom released the first car satellite navigation software, the TomTom Navigator, shifting its focus to GPS car navigation. In 2004, it added a subscription-based traffic update service.

The first all-in-one personal navigation device, the TomTom Go, was released in March 2004, creating a new product category. TomTom sold about 250,000 units of the TomTom Go in 2004, which made up 60% of the company’s revenue that year. By 2016, the company had sold nearly 80 million navigation devices worldwide.

In 2005, users could download new voices for the devices. In 2006, the rugged, water-resistant Rider navigation device was released for motorcycle users. It was the first portable GPS device designed for motorcycles and scooters.

In 2006, TomTom introduced text-to-speech for road names, hands-free calling, and traffic support. TomTom Home, software for managing and downloading content on a PC, was also released.

In 2007, TomTom partnered with Vodafone to create a high-definition traffic service for Vodafone users.

In 2008, TomTom added IQ Routes, which estimated travel times based on average speeds, and "Advanced Lane Guidance," showing the correct lane to take.

In autumn 2008, devices with built-in GSM SIM cards were released, offering features like HD Traffic, Google Local Search, real-time speed camera updates, and the ability to find the cheapest fuel on a route.

In 2013, TomTom entered the GPS sports watch market with the TomTom Runner and TomTom Multi-Sport GPS. In 2014, it launched the Runner Cardio GPS with a built-in heart rate monitor.

In 2015, TomTom launched the Bandit, an action camera with a built-in media server for quick sharing of footage.

In 2016, TomTom released

TomTom Group business structure

TomTom's business model serves two main groups: business-to-business (B2B) and Enterprise.

Location technology includes TomTom's automotive and enterprise businesses. These provide maps and navigation software as parts of customer applications.

The automotive segment sells location technology parts to carmakers. TomTom's navigation software is built into vehicles to offer updated map data, online route planning, and information for finding destinations, predicting traffic, and locating charging stations for electric vehicles.

The enterprise segment sells location technology to technology companies, government organizations, and traffic management groups.

TomTom's consumer segment once sold portable GPS devices, which were its main source of profit. However, the use of standalone GPS devices has decreased, even though the company tried to highlight differences between its devices and smartphone navigation apps. Recently, TomTom has moved its consumer business away from selling devices and now focuses on offering software applications with digital map services. This change is partly because selling devices has become less profitable as more people use navigation apps on smartphones. It is also due to the expected increase in the use of self-driving cars.

Products and services

TomTom is a company that makes three types of products: maps, connected services, and navigation software. These products come in different shapes and forms. TomTom Navigation devices (PNDs) and TomTom GO navigation apps are sold directly or indirectly to customers. In-dashboard systems are made for the automotive market. Navigation devices and portable devices with software are called units.

TomTom works with car manufacturers to provide built-in navigation devices in vehicles.

TomTom units show a special screen view of the road, including a side view of the road and a top-down map view. They use GPS to show the exact location and give directions through visual and spoken instructions. Some systems connect to mobile phones using Bluetooth, display traffic congestion maps, or allow users to make and receive calls and read text messages aloud.

TomTom’s GPS navigation devices include a touchscreen, speaker, USB port, and internal battery. Most models have Bluetooth that connects to smartphones, allowing the device to work as a speakerphone for hands-free calls.

• TomTom Go, Via, and Start – general-purpose navigation devices.
• TomTom Camper & Caravan/RV – models with maps that include height and width limits, allowing users to enter vehicle size and weight data for route planning.
• TomTom Truck – designed for professional truck drivers, with maps and software specific to trucks.
• TomTom Rider – portable, water-resistant models for motorcycle and scooter users. These devices have a screen and interface that work well with gloves.
• TomTom One and One XL – The TomTom One is a basic model for car navigation. The One XL has a larger touchscreen than the One (4.3 inches vs. 3.5 inches). Neither model includes features like Bluetooth calling or MP3 playback found in Go models. However, the One can receive traffic and weather updates through the TomTom Plus service when connected to a phone with Bluetooth. The One XL is also available with Live Services.
• Tom – In October 2025, TomTom launched Tom, a hands-free driving assistant that connects to the TomTom App. It provides real-time alerts about speed cameras, obstacles, and traffic without a subscription. Tom uses an LED ring and buzzer to give visual and audible alerts. Users can report or confirm speed cameras and hazards, helping keep map data accurate. The product uses TomTom’s maps and follows strict privacy rules.

• TomTom Go Navigator (formerly TomTom Go Mobile) – GPS navigation software for Android phones. It replaced an older app that had similar features to the iOS app. In March 2015, TomTom introduced a new app with a freemium model, offering free maps for the first 50 miles (75 kilometers) per month. The older app, which promised free lifetime updates, is no longer available on the Play Store, and its maps have not been updated since October 2015. Previous users get a discount on the new app’s subscription for three years.

• TomTom AmiGO (formerly TomTom Speed Cameras) – a free app that provides turn-by-turn navigation, speed camera alerts, and user-submitted information. It is community-driven and does not require a subscription.

• TomTom Navigator – GPS navigation software for PDAs, Palm devices, Pocket PCs, and some smartphones. It replaced an earlier version called TomTom Mobile 5.2. Navigator 7 was the latest version, included with the HTC Touch Diamond in 2008. Users can add frequently used functions to the main screen and report map corrections. The software works with touchscreens or a cursor on non-touchscreen devices. It is available on SD cards and DVDs, and runs on many Windows Mobile devices. The DVD version includes installation software, maps, licenses, and manuals.

• TomTom for iOS – GPS navigation software for iPhones, iPod Touch, and iPads. It was released in 2009 and works with various map packs. Some countries, like Turkey and Greece, are not included in larger map packs due to app size limits. Iceland is not currently available but is being worked on. A new app based on NavKit may address size issues.

Navigation software for some mobile phones was discontinued after release 5.2. Navigator is the closest version to the older Mobile 5.2 app but does not support all phones. Mobile 5.2 cannot use maps newer than version 6.60.

In September 2012, Apple partnered with TomTom to provide mapping data for Apple Maps. This partnership helped Apple move away from Google’s products. As of 2018, TomTom continues to supply data for Apple Maps.

TomTom Home (stylized as TomTom HOME) is a 32-bit PC application that allows…

Mapping

TomTom began working with Bosch, an auto parts manufacturer, in 2015 to create maps for self-driving vehicles. Bosch set the standards for TomTom’s maps as they started testing on U.S. highway I-280 and Germany’s A81. TomTom noted that the new maps required much more detailed information, such as precision down to one-tenth of a meter, to help self-driving cars recognize important road features. In 2015, TomTom was one of the few independent companies still making digital maps for the auto industry, partnering with brands like Volkswagen. That same year, TomTom also partnered with Uber, and the collaboration continued until 2020. Together, they integrated TomTom maps and traffic data into Uber’s app, allowing Uber to become a trusted partner in TomTom’s Map Editing Partnership (MEP) program.

Through the MEP program, users report road conditions in real time, which helps update maps globally. The program estimates that partners make about 3 million map changes each month. Apple used licensed data from TomTom and other companies to improve its Maps app since 2012. In January 2020, Apple announced it no longer used TomTom’s data and would rely on its own map system instead. By 2019, TomTom claimed 800 million people used its products, including maps in apps and hardware. That year, TomTom sold its fleet management division, TomTom Telematics, to Bridgestone, a Japanese company, to focus more on digital maps and software services. The division later became Webfleet Solutions.

In 2019, Webfleet Solutions worked with Microsoft and Moovit, a public transport data platform, to use real-time driving and parking data. The company also signed map and navigation deals with carmakers like Nissan, Fiat Chrysler, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Bentley. TomTom partnered with the University of Amsterdam to launch Atlas Lab, a research center for AI development to improve HD maps for autonomous vehicles. TomTom has been creating High Definition (HD) maps to help self-driving cars understand the environment when sensors are limited. In March 2019, TomTom announced it would supply HD maps to several top auto companies, offering centimeter-level accuracy and a feature called “map horizon” to help self-driving cars visualize the road ahead in real time.

In 2019, TomTom partnered with Volvo to develop a car capable of “level 5” autonomy, meaning it can operate without human input. The Volvo XC90 used special equipment to gather data about its surroundings, which was compared to TomTom’s HD maps. TomTom also worked with Hella Aglaia to collect camera data from vehicles, which helped improve its HD maps.

In early 2020, TomTom announced a partnership with Huawei Technologies, allowing Huawei to use TomTom’s maps, data, and navigation tools for apps on Chinese smartphones.

TomTom uses data from OpenStreetMap, a free map service, and its vice president of community is one of the founders of OpenStreetMap. Since 2008, TomTom has collected live and historical data from connected devices and its users. Its “MoMa” vehicles, short for mobile mapping, travel over 3 billion kilometers each year, using radar and LiDAR cameras to capture 375 million images annually. These images help detect road changes, which are verified and used to update maps. TomTom combines this data with input from partners to process about 2 billion map changes each month. The company updates its map database commercially every week to ensure maps reflect current road conditions.

Controversy

In April 2011, TomTom said sorry for giving driving data to police to catch speeders. The company had collected information from its Dutch customers, which the police used to set speed traps. TomTom was investigated by the Dutch Data Protection Authority, which found that the company had not broken the Dutch Data Protection Act.

In 2011, TomTom made its explanation about how it uses customer data clearer.

In May 2011, TomTom announced plans to sell combined customer information to the Roads & Traffic Authority in New South Wales, Australia. This data could be used for speed enforcement.

Privacy concerns were raised because the data might not remain anonymous and could be linked to individuals. Electronic Frontiers Australia criticized TomTom’s practice of selling user data. David Vaile from the University of New South Wales said an independent review of TomTom’s data collection was needed. TomTom devices collect information such as starting and ending points, travel times, speeds, and routes. The Australian Privacy Foundation said it would be easy to trace data back to individuals, even if TomTom claimed the data was anonymous.

TomTom’s VP of Marketing, Chris Kearney, said the data was fully anonymous. He also said TomTom did not sell data to Dutch authorities for speed cameras, though he did not rule out similar use in Australia.

Governments regularly buy data from mapping companies. It is unclear if this data is used only for speed cameras or for other purposes, like improving roads or finding accident-prone areas.

In November 2023, a woman followed audio directions and drove down a slip road near Little Brickhill, causing two deaths. In 2024, a coroner warned TomTom, Google, and Apple that their audio directions were dangerous. The coroner noted that police saw three other vehicles perform the same unsafe maneuver. TomTom said it had changed its verbal instructions after the report.

In 2012, TomTom made negative comments about the reliability of OpenStreetMap, an open-source mapping platform. TomTom claimed that the openness of OpenStreetMap led to data vandalism, citing a false claim about 100,000 incidents. This was later corrected, as only a few changes were malicious and fixed by the OpenStreetMap community.

Research in Germany showed a 9% difference in street coverage between OpenStreetMap and TomTom. OpenStreetMap actually covered 27% more streets than TomTom.

Since 2012, TomTom has worked with OpenStreetMap through organized editing and has sponsored events like The State of The Map Conference for the OpenStreetMap community.

Competition

TomTom's main competitors in car navigation systems are MiTAC, which includes Navman and Magellan Navigation, and Garmin. TomTom's main competitor in high-definition maps used for self-driving cars is Here, which is owned by a group of German car companies, including Audi, BMW, and Daimler.