TomTom
TomTom N.V. is a Dutch multinational developer and creator of location technology and consumer electronics. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Amsterdam, TomTom released its first generation of satellite navigation devices to market in 2004. As of 2019, the company has over 4,500 employees worldwide and operations in 29 countries throughout Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas.
History
The company was founded in Amsterdam in 1991 as Palmtop Software, by Corinne Vigreux, Peter-Frans Pauwels and Pieter Geelen. The company focused on corporate handheld device software before focusing on the consumer market and releasing the first route planning software for mobile devices in 1996. Software was developed mainly for Psion devices and the company was one of the largest developers of Psion software in the late 1990s. Palmtop also worked with Psion in the development of EPOC32. Software was also developed for Palm and Windows CE devices.In 1999, Vigreux's husband, Harold Goddijn left Psion Netherlands, for which TomTom made software and where Vigreux was previously sales director, to join TomTom. He had previously invested in TomTom. In 2001, the company's brand name changed to TomTom, while its legal name was also changed by 2003.
On 27 May 2005, TomTom listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, valuing the company at nearly €50 million.
In September 2005, TomTom acquired Datafactory AG, a telematics service provider based in Leipzig. Datafactory AG employed around 30 people and realized a turnover of approximately €5 million in 2004 and a small net profit.
In January 2006, TomTom acquired the UK company Applied Generics, forming TomTom Traffic.
In 2008, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas, a digital map maker, for €2.9 billion.
In 2010, they produced an advert saying You are not stuck in traffic. You are traffic. A photograph of this was widely circulated on the internet. It became a meme, often with different images and sometimes reworded slightly.
On 11 June 2012, at an event for Apple's iOS 6 preview, TomTom was announced as the main mapping data provider for Apple's revamped iOS 6 "Maps" app, replacing Google Maps.
In 2014, TomTom partnered with Volkswagen Group for joint research on Highly Automated Driving systems.
TomTom signed deals to provide their navigation devices to several carmakers including Volkswagen Group, Daimler, Toyota and others.
In late 2015, TomTom extended its deal with Apple and signed a new contract with Uber, in which Uber driver app uses TomTom maps and traffic data in 300 cities worldwide. In May 2018, TomTom launched new portable navigation device the TomTom Go Camper to cater for the requirements of caravan and motorhome users.
In January 2018, the company faced criticism for announcing that it would no longer be providing map updates for some devices. It also said that "lifetime" meant the "useful life" of a device.
In 2020, the company signed a deal with Chinese manufacturer Huawei to use TomTom's map data in Petal Maps, a replacement service to Google Maps for the company's smartphones.
In June 2025, TomTom announced plans to eliminate around 300 positions of its global workforce as part of a strategic reorganization to “realign its organisation and embrace artificial intelligence”. The layoffs impacted roles in the application layer, sales, and support divisions. At the time, the company employed approximately 3,600 people worldwide.
Product history
Until 1996, TomTom developed business-to-business applications such as meter reading and bar-code reading for handheld devices, such as Palm Pilot, Compaq iPaq and Psion Series 5. Subsequently, the company moved its focus to PDA software for the consumer market. Early mapping software included EnRoute, Citymaps and Routeplanner.By 2001, they released the first car satellite navigation software, the TomTom Navigator, shifting the company's focus to GPS car navigation. In 2004 a built-in subscription-based traffic update service was added.
The first all-in-one device personal navigation device, the TomTom Go was released in March 2004, creating a new consumer electronics category. TomTom reports it has sold about 250,000 units of TomTom Go and this product represented 60% of the company's revenue for 2004. , the company had sold nearly 80 million navigation devices worldwide.
In 2005, the ability to download new voices was introduced. The ruggedized, water-resistant Rider navigation device was released for motorcycle users in 2006. The Rider was the first portable satellite navigation device designed for motorcycles and scooters.
Text-to-speech for road names was first introduced in 2006, along with hands-free calling and traffic support. TomTom Home, software for managing and downloading content for TomTom on a PC, was first released at this time.
TomTom partnered with Vodafone in 2007 to create a high definition traffic service, designed to deliver real-time traffic data to Vodafone users through their devices.
New features introduced in 2008 included IQ Routes, which estimated journey times based on average recorded speeds, rather than speed limits, and "Advanced Lane Guidance", an on-screen representation of the correct lane to take.
In the autumn of 2008, devices were introduced with built-in GSM SIM cards, for connected features including HD Traffic, Google Local Search, real-time speed camera updates, and the facility to search for the cheapest fuel on route.
In 2013, TomTom entered the GPS sports watch market with the launch of the TomTom Runner and TomTom Multi-Sport GPS. TomTom extended its range of GPS sports watches with the launch of the Runner Cardio GPS in 2014 with a built-in heart rate monitor.
In 2015, TomTom entered a new product category with the launch of its new action camera, the Bandit. It had a built-in media server, enabling users to share footage in a matter of minutes.
TomTom launched a new sports watch in 2016, the TomTom Spark, which in addition to GPS and a heart-rate monitor, included music on the wrist and a 24/7 activity tracker.
A year later, the company announced that it was reorganizing the sports division and was withdrawing from the consumer sports market although products would continue to be supported. A company press release in June 2023 announced that support for sports watches and other wearable products will be discontinued from September 2023. This includes TomTom's own platforms as well as integration with third-party services such as Strava.
In 2018, TomTom became the primary supplier of data for Apple's map app.
TomTom Group business structure
TomTom's business model targets two major market segments: B2B and Enterprise.Location technology
Location technology comprises the company's automotive and enterprise businesses, providing maps and navigation software as components of customer applications.The firm's automotive segment sells location technology components to carmakers. TomTom's navigation software is integrated into vehicles to provide current map data, online routing, and guidance and search information, allowing for vehicle features like destination prediction, traffic expectations, or charging points location and availability for electric vehicles.
TomTom's enterprise segment sells its location technologies to tech companies, government bodies, and traffic management entities.
Consumer
The consumer segment of TomTom's business sells portable, personal satellite navigation devices, once its core profit center. Usage of standalone GPS devices has since declined, despite the brand's efforts to contrast features to those of smartphone integrated alternatives. Recently, the company has transitioned its consumer business away from devices to offer software applications instead with digital maplinked services. This shift in focus is due partially to declining profitability as consumers utilize GPS alternatives with integrated navigation apps, and also to the anticipated rise in autonomous vehicle usage.Products and services
TomTom as a company offers three types of products in different shapes and forms: maps, connected services and software. TomTom Navigation devices and TomTom GO navigation apps are sold directly or indirectly to end-consumers. In-dashboard systems are released for the automotive market. The navigation devices and portable devices with installed software are referred to as units.TomTom partners with several car manufacturers and offers built-in navigation devices.
| Product | Car manufacturer |
| Uconnect | Fiat |
| Blue&Me TomTom | Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia |
| Renault R-Link | Renault |
| Carminat TomTom | Renault |
| Lexus CT MoveOn Navi | Lexus |
| Mazda Navigation System | Mazda |
| Toyota Touch 2 with Go | Toyota |
| Online Traffic Service | Volkswagen |
| Peugeot i-Cockpit | PSA |
| Connect 3D Nav | FCA |
| Gen3,4,5 & 6 | Subaru |
| Gen 2 | Mercury |
| SmartMediaConnect | Smart |
Navigation
TomTom units provide a flying interface with an oblique bird's-eye view of the road, as well as a direct-overhead map view. They use a GPS receiver to show the precise location and provide visual and spoken directions on how to drive to the specified destination. Some TomTom systems also integrate with mobile phones using Bluetooth, traffic congestion maps or to actually take calls and read SMS messages aloud.Navigation devices
TomTom's all-in-one GPS navigation devices come with a touch screen, speaker, USB port, internal lithium-ion battery. Most models have Bluetooth transceivers that allow connection to a smartphone, allows the device to be used as a speakerphone to make and receive handsfree calls.- TomTom Go, Via and Start – general purpose navigation devices.
- TomTom Camper & Caravan / RV – these models have a map that is supplied with height and width restrictions, which allows vehicle size and weight data to be entered for the route planning.
- TomTom Truck – designed for professional truck drivers and include truck-specific software and maps.
- TomTom Rider – Portable water-resistant models for motorcycle and motorscooter users. They differ from other devices in that the Rider is partly shielded and has a 'glove-friendly' screen and GUI.
- TomTom One and One XL – The TomTom One is the base model for automobile navigation. The difference between the TomTom One XL and the TomTom One is the size of the touch screen. Neither model of the One contains the added functions included in the Go models, such as Bluetooth hands-free calling and MP3 Jukebox. However, the One is able to receive traffic and weather updates using the TomTom Plus service when paired via Bluetooth with a mobile phone with a DUN data service. The reduced software capability means less demand on the hardware, which allows the One to be sold at a significantly lower price than the Go. The XL is also available as a Live version with integrated Live Services.
- Tom – In October 2025, TomTom launched Tom, a hands-free driving assistant that integrates with the TomTom App, providing real-time alerts for speed cameras, obstacles, and traffic conditions without requiring a subscription. Designed to enhance safety and convenience, Tom delivers distraction-free notifications through a combination of visual alerts via an LED ring and audible alerts through a buzzer, ensuring drivers do not miss important road information. Users can use Tom’s buttons to report, confirm, or dismiss speed cameras and hazards, helping keep TomTom’s map data accurate and up to date for all drivers. The product utilizes TomTom’s mapping and navigation data while following strict data protection standards to safeguard user privacy.