TomTom AI Maps: Paving the Road for Scalable Self-Driving Cars

AMSTERDAM, Jan. 02, 2026 – Location technology specialist TomTom today unveiled its TomTom Orbis Lane Model Maps, a new generation of mapping technology poised to accelerate the widespread adoption of automated driving. Powered by a highly automated, AI-driven platform, the new offering delivers lane-level precision at a scale and cost previously unattainable, aiming to resolve a critical bottleneck for the automotive industry.

This launch positions TomTom to serve as a single, high-fidelity source for the detailed, continuously updated maps required by both advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and fully autonomous vehicles. With lane-level geometry already available across Germany and a rapid global expansion underway, the company is making a bold strategic move to become the foundational data layer for the future of mobility.

The AI-Powered Map Factory

At the heart of the announcement is TomTom's 'Orbis AI map data factory,' a sophisticated system that represents a paradigm shift from traditional, labor-intensive cartography. This AI-native platform automates between 90% and 95% of all map creation and updates, drastically reducing the time it takes to reflect real-world road changes from months to mere minutes. This efficiency is the key to providing maps that are not only rich in detail but also perpetually fresh.

The system ingests and processes a vast array of data from millions of sources. This includes crowdsourced observations from vehicles already on the road, satellite imagery, and high-resolution LiDAR and camera data. By combining foundational AI models with its own proprietary algorithms, TomTom can build and refresh a detailed digital twin of the road network with unprecedented speed and accuracy. This multi-source approach creates a robust and reliable picture of reality, from lane markings and connectivity to traffic signs and road curvature.

Crucially, TomTom Orbis Maps is built on open standards, incorporating data from collaborative initiatives like the Overture Maps Foundation and OpenStreetMap alongside the company's own proprietary information. This open approach provides automakers with greater flexibility and customization, moving away from the 'black box' solutions of the past and fostering a more interoperable ecosystem for location technology.

Reshaping the Competitive Landscape

TomTom's launch enters a fiercely competitive arena where established players and tech giants are vying to provide the essential mapping data for autonomous vehicles. The market for high-definition (HD) maps, projected to grow into a multi-billion dollar industry within the next decade, includes formidable competitors like HERE Technologies, Google, and Mobileye.

While rivals also employ AI and crowdsourcing, TomTom's Orbis Lane Model Maps are engineered to directly address the primary limitations of traditional HD maps: high cost, slow refresh rates, and limited scalability, especially in complex urban environments. By automating the majority of the production pipeline, TomTom claims it can deliver HD-level richness across the entire road network—not just highways—at a fraction of the cost. This cost-efficiency could democratize access to high-precision maps, enabling automakers to deploy advanced safety and convenience features across a wider range of vehicle models, not just premium flagships.

Competitors have forged their own paths. HERE Technologies leverages its long-standing automotive partnerships with its HD Live Map, while Mobileye's Road Experience Management (REM) platform uses crowd-sourced data from its camera systems to build its maps. Google has also entered the fray, providing its own HD maps to partners like Volvo and Polestar. TomTom's strategy hinges on its unique combination of multi-source data fusion, extreme automation, and a commitment to open standards, which it believes provides a more scalable and continuously refreshed solution for the entire road network.

Accelerating the Autonomous Future for Automakers

For car manufacturers, the availability of cost-effective, scalable, and fresh lane-level maps is a game-changer. These maps function as a critical layer of contextual awareness for a vehicle's sensor suite, enabling ADAS and autonomous systems to make safer, more precise, and more comfortable driving decisions. The Orbis maps provide vehicles with a detailed understanding of what lies beyond the range of their sensors, including complex intersections, lane splits, and upcoming speed limit changes.

“Delivering a safe and exceptional experience for next-generation automated driving requires cost-efficient maps with more features, higher accuracy, and fresh updates across all road types, including urban environments,” said Michael Harrell, SVP for Product Engineering at TomTom. “Our innovative solutions are accelerating the scalability of automated driving in complex urban environments.”

TomTom already has a significant footprint in the automotive sector, with its technology present in millions of automated vehicles from over 30 brands, including Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Stellantis. The company's ADAS SDK acts as a ready-made gateway for automakers to integrate Orbis map data, helping them develop features that improve safety and meet evolving regulatory requirements with reduced development overhead.

Navigating Safety Standards and Strategy

The precision and freshness of Orbis Lane Model Maps are not just a matter of performance but are fundamental to safety and regulatory compliance. As governments worldwide establish stricter rules for vehicle automation, the quality of map data is coming under intense scrutiny. In Europe, for example, regulations like Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) are now mandatory, requiring vehicles to be aware of local speed limits. TomTom’s map data and ADAS SDK provide a 'compliance-in-a-box' solution that helps carmakers meet these standards and achieve higher Euro NCAP safety ratings.

This launch is a cornerstone of TomTom’s long-term business strategy, which centers on a decisive pivot towards autonomous driving and a product-led approach focused on standardized, scalable offerings. The company's significant R&D investments, including €30 million capitalized for new 3D map layers, underscore its commitment to this vision. By aiming for Orbis Maps to be a single source for both navigation and AD, TomTom is simplifying the complex technology stack for carmakers and positioning itself as an indispensable partner.

With a strong financial outlook driven by growing demand from the automotive sector, TomTom is betting that its AI-powered, open-standard platform is the key to unlocking the next phase of mobility. By solving the scalability challenge, the company is not just building a better map but is laying down the digital infrastructure for a safer and more efficient autonomous future.