TomTom becomes a partner in the MIH Consortium and aims to accelerate EV navigation

The Dutch mapping specialist TomTom has claimed to be the first global mapmaker and navigation provider to join the MIH Consortium. This consortium was initiated by Taiwanese electronics specialist Foxconn with the goal of bringing together strategic partners from the automotive industry for the development of the next generation of electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and mobility services.

The consortium sees TomTom's expertise in the area of digital cockpits and user experience (UX) in navigation for drivers of electric vehicles as a significant enhancement to the so-called Open EV Alliance. TomTom's powerful routing function uses advanced map and traffic data, as well as information from the vehicle and its environment, to calculate reliable routes for electric vehicles. This ensures reaching the destination on the fastest route without any issues with range or charging, the reasoning goes.

"With its collaborative ethos and expertise in creating and maintaining globally scalable maps – optimized for user-friendly EV navigation, automated driving, and smart mobility solutions – TomTom will be an invaluable partner for the MIH Consortium and the Open EV Alliance," believes Jack Cheng, CEO of the MIH Consortium.

As a member, the Dutch company will work with global automotive and technology leaders and is expected to advance the strategic alignment of the consortium and influence the key trends in the mobility industry.

"Consumers expect cars to quickly develop into smartphones on wheels. The MIH Consortium today plays a central role in bridging the gap between the various actors of the automotive ecosystem and enables close collaboration, which is required across the industry to achieve this goal," adds Antoine Saucier, Managing Director, TomTom Automotive.

He sees the opportunity for the company, through closer collaboration with the other members of the MIH Consortium, including the software departments of automobile manufacturers, to play a key role in the development of "groundbreaking, user-friendly, intelligent electric vehicles," as Saucier promotes.