HERE Technologies was named as the top mapping and location vendor in Omdia’s 2024 Location Platform Index. Such companies as Google GOOG 1.05%↑, TomTom and Mapbox were also evaluated for strategy, capabilities and market impact in the report.
One of the reasons HERE scored high was its mapping solutions for Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), the company said. The company’s map integrates data from sensors, cameras, and radar for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving features.
Runner up Google’s automotive OS “has been popular with some OEMs, including Ford F 1.00%↑, GM GM -0.06%↓, and even luxury OEM Mercedes-Benz,” the report said. “Though separate from Google Maps, Waze, which Google owns, is wildly popular with many consumers who share their data and interact with the maps to improve their accuracy.”
One knock against HERE was ownership structure that “gave rise to questions about the company’s direction,” the report said. However, Omdia said the OEM ownership stake did not “seem to alter map supplier relationships significantly.”
HERE Partners With Pioneer
In other company news, HERE has partnered with Pioneer to to co-develop connected devices and services for two-wheelers, fleet management, micro-mobility and insurance providers. The companies, which will display a jointly developed solution at CES 2025, will integrate HERE’s mapping content with Pioneer’s hardware to deliver dynamic routing with real-time traffic awareness and navigation, the company said.
Pioneer will lead the development and maintenance of in-vehicle devices with its Ride Connect SDK that integrates the HERE SDK for smartphones to deliver artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced connected services, the company said.
