Google to Ease Restrictions on Automotive and Mapping Services in EU Following Antitrust Deal
Paid subscribers have access to articles about a huge European fleet location privacy leak, a tech that could rival GPS and People and Jobs.
Google GOOG 0.00%↑ has agreed to end several practices that restricted competition in connection with its Google Automotive Services and Google Maps Platform, following a probe by Germany’s Federal Cartel Office. The tech giant committed to offering key in-vehicle services—such as Google Maps, Play, and Assistant—as standalone products, allowing car manufacturers to mix and match services from different providers.
The move aims to open up opportunities for alternative infotainment solutions and eliminate contractual incentives that previously pushed customers toward Google’s default options.
In addition, Google will remove restrictions that limited the integration of its map services with those from other providers such as HERE, Mapbox, and TomTom. This change gives customers the flexibility to use third-party map content alongside Google’s, supporting the development of more customizable and cost-effective applications for businesses in logistics, mobility, and delivery. The investigation was instigated by a complaint from Dutch rival TomTom, according to Reuters.
“These commitments will lead to direct improvements in the affected sectors,” said Bundeskartellamt President Andreas Mundt, in a statement. “They offer users more choice and pave the way for innovation by enabling interoperability and competition.”
The commitments will apply across Europe, covering vehicles registered in Germany and the wider EU market due to standardized automotive regulations. They also extend to all Google Maps license holders with billing addresses in the European Economic Area.
GPS III Satellite Launch Scheduled for May on SpaceX Falcon 9, OCX on Schedule
COLORADO SPRINGS—The U.S. Space Force has delivered the next GPS III satellite to Cape Canaveral SFS for a May launch, the service announced this week. The Lockheed Martin-built LMT 0.00%↑ satellite, Space Vehicle 08, was fielded the same rapid process associated with the GPS III SV-07 that launched on Dec. 16, 2024.
Nicknamed the Katherine Johnson, to honor mathematician Katherine Johnson, the satellite will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The current constellation, which includes 31 satellites, will add the final two GPS III satellites, SV-09 and SV-10. Both are set for launch this year.
Lockheed Martin said it would focus on the GPS IIIF program that will include satellites through SV-20, with options that run through SV-32. The first GPS IIIF had a core completion in February, however, the first launch won’t be until 2027.
GPS OCX Still On For September
The GPS Next-Generation Operational Control System, or OCX, ground system is still on schedule for a September completion, said Charlotte Gerhart, deputy director, military communications and PNT, at the Space Foundation’s 40th Space Symposium. “We are still on track. We are still in the middle of a lot of testing,” she said. “[This includes] making sure interfaces work and operators are trained. If we had been able to have OCX sooner, I would have been able to transition to on ramping more capabilities faster. It truly is a what if.”
Long considered one the service’s problem child programs, RTX Space RTX 0.00%↑, once known as Raytheon, has been developing the crucial system for more than a decade. The OCX ground system is critical for GPS IIIF satellites to access the encrypted M-code signal that is harder to jam.
Gerhart acknowledged that the GPS constellation faces serious jamming issues, but not from any one country. “We see jamming of all types—not specific to any country. There are opportunities to jam our systems, so we are carefully watching that,” she said.
In other Space Symposium news:
Space-ng demonstrated its AstroVision and optical navigation software, highlighting its role in the successful Blue Ghost Mission 1 lunar landing. The company’s vision-based navigation software enabled Firefly Aerospace’s lander to safely touch down on Mare Crisium by autonomously detecting hazards and navigating without GPS.
Sheeva.AI Partners With Sunoco to Launch In-Vehicle Fuel Payments Across North America
Sheeva.AI this week announced a partnership with Sunoco to deploy its SheevaConnect platform at more than 5,700 Sunoco retail fuel locations across North America, aiming to streamline the fueling process through connected vehicle technology.
The SheevaConnect platform uses patented geolocation technology to enable drivers to pay for fuel and access services directly from their vehicle’s infotainment system, the company said. By eliminating the need for mobile apps, QR codes or additional hardware, the system identifies the vehicle’s pump location and automates authorization and payment for a seamless experience, the company said.
“Our platform was designed to simplify and transform the way drivers interact with services like fueling while hitting the road,” said Evgeny Klochikhin, CEO and founder of Sheeva.AI, in a statement. He said the partnership will also help Sunoco modernize the customer experience through integrated payments and rewards.
The collaboration marks Sheeva.AI’s latest expansion following a successful rollout in India, where it partnered with Stellantis to enable fueling services in select Citroën models. The company is continuing to scale its platform with services for electric vehicle charging, car washes, parking and tolling—and has mapped over 3 million service points globally.
The in-vehicle payments and rewards system is expected to launch at Sunoco stations this summer. Sheeva.AI said it is working with multiple automakers and aims to have its technology available in more than 1 million vehicles by the end of 2025.
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Weekly Location Industry News
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Top News:
📈 u-blox Divests Dual Mode Cellular-Satellite Communications Business to Trident IoT. “u-blox has divested its dual mode cellular-satellite communications business, along with a core development team, to California-based Trident IoT for an undisclosed amount. This transaction follows u-blox’s recent divestment of its Cellular business in March 2025, which did not include the dual mode cellular-satellite communications business.”
✈ Iridium VAMSs Explore Integrating PNT Service With Avionics. “Iridium’s IRDM 0.00%↑ value added manufacturers in aviation are exploring ways to bring another layer of safety to the flight deck by integrating the McLean, Virginia-based firm’s new positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) service into their aero satcom solutions to complement and protect GPS. The alternative PNT service, now dubbed Iridium Satellite Time and Location (Iridium STL), became part of the satellite operator’s portfolio last year when it acquired Satelles.”
🛩 Public Safety Drone Maker Brinc Raises $75M, Forms Strategic Alliance With Motorola. Seattle-based Brinc announced $75 million in new funding and a strategic alliance with Motorola Solutions, aiming to expand production and accelerate deployment of its emergency response drones for police and other U.S. public safety agencies.
🥇 Heart Monitor Becomes Vodafone's 200 Millionth IoT Connection.
🙂 Tive Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with Nippon Express Holdings. “Tive’s IoT tracking devices and cloud platform incorporate real-time location, temperature, and humidity monitoring, plus the ability to accurately record the timestamp of cargo shock events via acceleration measurement.”
👍 Telefonica Tech Inks Warehouse IoT Deal. “Telefonica Tech and logistics player Dexory partnered on a warehouse inventory management service integrating IoT technology with AI-equipped robots and a digital twin platform. The system will use the former’s IoT technology to send data collected by the Dexory robots, which can scan up to 10,000 inventory locations per hour in 3D using cameras and lidar sensors.”
⚡ Parasail Says Its Fleet of On-Demand GPUs Is Larger Than Oracle's Entire Cloud. “There’s basically three cloud vendors who run the internet, and that isn’t exactly how the internet is being rebuilt when you look at AI,” Tim Harris, one of Parasail’s co-founders and the CEO of Swift Navigation, told TechCrunch.”
Expert nationwide installation services for fleet technologies.
Maps:
🗺 Esri Helps Bring Up-To-Date Road Closure Information to Consumer Mapping Apps. “Esri has enhanced its Community Maps Program to make sharing of road closures easier with the Road Closures solution. This new solution in Esri’s ArcGIS, bridges the gap between government agencies managing timely road updates and the public, who rely on mapping apps for real-time navigation.”
👉 TomTom Opens New Detroit Office, Calls It North American Headquarters.
In other TomTom news, the company partnered with Frogne, an asset management solution provider for the taxi services and public service mobility segments. “Frogne will leverage TomTom's insights into traffic flows and speed profiles to improve ETA accuracies and deliver information about traffic delays and incidents along routes, enhancing operational efficiency and service quality for its customers.”
👍 iOS 18's Maps Upgrade Makes My Go-to Feature Even More Convenient. “When you’re viewing a place inside Apple Maps, iOS 18 added a little save button (+) in the upper right corner next to the share and ‘x’ icons.”
🙂 ASCE Partners with Esri. “The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has released its 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. This year, ASCE has partnered with Esri to present the findings using ArcGIS StoryMaps.”
🌏 IIT Madras Develops 'Ubiqmap', a Real-Time Indoor Mapping Tech for Rescue Operations. “The technology uses radio frequency-based imaging to produce accurate, detailed maps of indoor spaces under any lighting or environmental conditions.”
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Connected and Autonomous Vehicles:
😮 Autonomous Driving Startup Nuro Raises $106M At $6B Valuation. “Nuro, a developer of autonomous driving technology and software, raised $106 million in an ongoing Series E that values the company at $6 billion. The new deal would represent a cut from the reported $8.6 billion it was valued at in 2021 after raising a $600 million Series D led by Tiger Global Management.”
😮 Waymo Denies Plan to Use Robotaxis’ Interior Cameras to Personalize Ads. “Waymo denied a media report that it plans to use data from its robotaxis’ interior cameras to identify individuals or personalize ads. TechCrunch cited a post on X from researcher Jane Manchun Wong, who said an unreleased privacy page from Waymo indicated that the company may use the data for those purposes, while also allowing riders to opt out.”
🚗 Amazon's Zoox Begins Robotaxi Testing in Los Angeles. “The data-collection effort marks Zoox’s entrance into its sixth city and lays the groundwork for a future robotaxi service.”
🤞 Waymo Readies Autonomous Cars for First International Tests in Japan. “The company has yet to commit to launching a commercial robotaxi service in the country but is still celebrating the tests as a significant milestone.”
🤔 Tesla Europe Shares FSD Test Video Weeks Ahead of Launch Target. “Tesla TSLA 0.00%↑ aims to launch Supervised Full Self-Driving in European markets in the coming weeks, though engineering tests are well underway.”
🌍 Pony.ai Gets Permit for Testing L4 Robotaxis in Luxembourg. “Pony.ai Europe has clearance from Luxembourg’s Ministry of Mobility and Public Works for testing Level 4 autonomous driving. Pony.ai earlier had established its European research and testing hub in Luxembourg in September 2024, as part of its strategic expansion into the European market.”
💰 Ottometric Secures $10M Series A Financing to Advance ADAS Validation.
🚙 Mercedes Quietly Gives 2026 S-Class a Huge Self-Driving Update. “Mercedes' Drive Pilot will be able to take over driving at speeds up to 59 mph in Germany.”
🚘 China's Deeproute.ai to Team Up with Qualcomm to Develop Advanced Driver Assistance Solutions. “The solutions will cover lidar and vision-only systems and support features including urban navigation on autopilot, highway navigation and automated parking, according to a company statement.”
👉 Uber Technologies Expands Autonomous Vehicle Partnerships. “Uber Technologies UBER 0.00%↑ has been active with numerous partnerships and expansions, such as collaborating with WeRide and Dubai's RTA to introduce autonomous vehicles, and expanding Coco Robotics for delivery in Miami. Despite these efforts, the stock showed a flat price movement in the last quarter.”
😕 Lyft Stock Crashes on Fears it Will Miss out on Autonomous Vehicle Boom. “Despite stating that Lyft LYFT 0.00%↑ has long-term potential in the autonomous vehicle or AV space, its partnerships were still in the early stages and recent pricing challenges are likely to continue affecting profit margins.”
🤷♂️ There's Something Very Sketchy Going on With Self-Driving Teslas Running Down Motorcycles. “According to a new analysis by FuelArc, Teslas have a totally unique propensity for plowing over motorcyclists among self-driving cars — supporting a belief among some motorcyclists that Teslas are particularly dangerous to ride next to.”
Fleet Telematics:
😮 Geotab Surpasses 300,000 Subscriptions to Dominate Latin America Telematics Market. “[Geotab has] significant subscriber expansion across key markets with significant growth in Brazil (256%), Mexico (35%), Colombia (34%), Chile (25%), Peru (66%), Argentina (83%), and Guatemala (95%) over the past two years.”
🚐 Microlise Looks to Extend Footprint with Van Fleets. “Already dominant in the truck sector, monitoring data from more than 230,000 drivers, three-quarters of the UK’s HGV drivers, Microlise boosted its penetration in the van delivery and logistics sectors following the triple purchase of Vita Software in 2023 and Enterprise Software Systems and K-Safe in 2024.”
💰 Maven Clients Invests £3.4 Million in Logistics Software Business Podfather. “Maven Capital Partners, one of the UK’s leading private equity firms, has completed a £3.4 million investment in Edinburgh-based Epod Solutions Group Limited, which trades as Podfather. The business provides a comprehensive cloud-based logistics software solution designed to streamline fleet operations.”
🚚 ZF Aftermarket Launches Vandy Fleet Management Solution.
👌 Wialon joins Fleet Forum as Knowledge Partner. “Fleet Forum runs global initiatives such as ride and vehicle sharing projects for humanitarian organizations, development projects that help reduce the sector’s environmental impact, training and consultancy for fleet management improvement and road safety programs.”
Financial:
💲 NextNav Announces Closing of $190 Million of 5 Percent Redeemable Senior Secured, Convertible Notes Transaction. (See our analysis for paid subscribers below).
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Weekly Product News
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Rx Networks Launches TruePoint | FOCUS
Rx Networks has launched TruePoint | FOCUS, a cloud-based GNSS correction service that delivers real-time centimeter-level positioning accuracy for high-precision applications. The service supports both RTK (OSR) and PPP-RTK (SSR) modes, to offer flexibility and performance across industries including agriculture, robotics, drones, and IoT, the company said. TruePoint | FOCUS is hardware-agnostic and compatible with all RTK-capable GNSS receivers, using standard protocols like RTCM v3 and NTRIP for easy integration. The launch expands the TruePoint portfolio and is now available for trial in North America, Europe, and China.
Contact: Ali Soliman, RX Networks, (408) 734-6551, asoliman@rxnetworks.com, www.rxnetworks.com.
Tive Unveils Solo Pro to Enhance Real-Time Visibility for Pharmaceutical Shipments
Tive announced the launch of Solo Pro, a real-time visibility tracker designed to streamline pharmaceutical and biologics shipments by reducing delays, ensuring compliance, and protecting product integrity. The tracker features a high-contrast display that shows shipment status, enabling faster quality checks and product releases.
Solo Pro supports all temperature profiles—including dry ice and cryogenic—with real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, shock, light, and tilt. The device offers location data, customizable alerts, and flight-compliant design with sustainable, reusable options, the company said. Solo Pro integrates into global cold chain logistics, closing the visibility gap left by traditional data loggers and standard GPS trackers, the company said.
Contact: Lane Kearney, for Tive, tive@corporateink.com.
Swift Navigation Offers 2-Centimeter RTK Positioning Accuracy Across Western Europe
Swift Navigation announced Thursday that its Skylark Precise Positioning Service now provides continuous 2-centimeter RTK accuracy across all of Western Europe. The upgrade enables large-scale deployment of consumer robotics and digital mapping solutions without the need for local base stations or fragmented networks, the company said.
Skylark uses a proprietary atmospheric model to ensure real-time accuracy and reliability, eliminating common RTK coverage issues. The service, already powering more than 10 million ADAS and autonomous vehicles globally, is available in three variants to suit different operational needs. With coverage now spanning 28 countries in Western Europe, Skylark Nx RTK offers survey-grade precision compatible with standard RTK receivers, the compny said.
Contact: Swift Navigation, press@swift-nav.com, www.swiftnav.com.
STMicroelectronics GNSS Chips Boost Accuracy of Segway’s New Robotic Lawnmowers
STMicroelectronics has partnered with Segway to equip its new Navimow X3 robotic lawnmowers with Teseo V GNSS chips, enhancing satellite signal coverage by up to 30 percent. The automotive-grade chips enable decimeter-level precision and stable navigation, even in complex environments with narrow paths or limited satellite visibility.
This integration eliminates the need for boundary wires and ensures safer, more efficient mowing patterns, the company said. The collaboration marks a significant step in ST’s expansion into industrial GNSS applications, the company said.
Contact: STMicroelectronics, www.st.com.
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Drivers Want In-Car Payments — and Are Willing to Pay for Them, Study Finds
A new report by Parkopedia and Drive Research highlights strong demand for in-car payment services, with 100 percent of U.S. drivers and 93 percent of German drivers saying a simple, user-friendly system would enhance their driving experience. The study found that 97 percent of participants in both countries would prefer an integrated platform for paying for services like parking, charging, and fuel.
Drivers also expressed a desire for notifications about nearby payment opportunities, with 93 percent of Germans and percent of Americans favoring this feature. However, a complicated registration process remains a barrier to adoption, with 70 percent of U.S. and 77 percent of German drivers saying they would avoid the service if it was difficult to sign up. The report suggests automakers offering seamless in-car payments will gain brand loyalty and revenue as demand for connected car services grows.
Contact: Adam Calland, Parkopedia, 44(0)7838219129, adam.calland@parkopedia.com.
Shield AI Launches Upgraded V-BAT Aircraft
Shield AI on last week unveiled an upgraded version of its V-BAT aircraft, now featuring autonomy powered by its Hivemind software, Satcom for beyond-line-of-sight control, and a heavy-fuel engine compatible with JP-5. The company stated the enhanced V-BAT offers capabilities typically found in larger Group 4 and 5 drones but in a more compact Group 3 package.
The aircraft is designed for challenging missions like operating in GPS-denied environments and maritime surveillance, the company said.
Contact: Lily Hinz, media@shield.ai.
u-blox Unveils Compact ANNA-B5 Bluetooth LE Module for Secure, Efficient IoT Connectivity
u-blox has launched the ANNA-B5, a compact Bluetooth LE module built on Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF54L15 chipset, offering high performance and ultra-low power consumption in a 6.5 x 6.5 mm form factor. Designed for IoT applications, the ANNA-B5 supports Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter, and includes advanced features like Bluetooth Channel Sounding for distance measurements, the company said.
With PSA Certified Level 3 security—including tamper detection, secure boot, and a crypto accelerator—it targets markets like industrial automation, healthcare, and asset tracking, the company said. The certified module will be available for early sampling in summer 2025.
Contact: Sven Etzold, u-blox, 41 76 561 0066, sven.etzold@u-blox.com.
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NextNav's $190 Million Funding: A Double-Edged Sword for Investors and Company Growth
NextNav NN 0.00%↑ recently secured $190 million through a private placement of 5 percent redeemable senior secured convertible notes due 2028. The company intends to use the proceeds to redeem its existing $70 million aggregate principal amount of 10 percent senior secured notes due 2026.
(Paid subscribers get access to the rest of this story, plus a piece about a huge fleet management location data leak in Europe, new tech that rivals GPS, and Jobs and People).
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