TomTom Reports Encouraging Q1, Highlights Enterprise Growth and Automotive Software Focus
Paid subscribers get access to more TomTom news, Hexagon's enhancements to its RTK corrections service, an analysis of space-based public safety offerings that may enhance GPS. Plus Jobs and People.
TomTom [TOM2] kicked off 2025 with a modest revenue increase and notable progress across its Automotive and Enterprise segments, the company reported this week. CEO Harold Goddijn emphasized the momentum behind the company’s mapping investments, which are fueling growth in sectors such as fleet management and geospatial analytics.
“We had a healthy start to the year,” Goddijn said in a statement, highlighting TomTom Orbis Maps’ expanding capabilities. The company’s 3D map layers, essential for supporting higher levels of vehicle autonomy, are gaining commercial traction as automakers push to modernize their software and improve customer experiences.
TomTom's Location Technology segment brought in €121 million (about $131 million), a 2 percent year-over-year increase, while Automotive operational revenue rose 5% to €83 million (approximately $90 million). Overall group revenue was up slightly to €140 million (around $151 million). Free cash flow improved, narrowing to an outflow of €3 million (about $3.2 million) compared to €9 million (roughly $9.7 million) a year earlier.
The company also advanced its AI initiatives, joining the European Union’s AI Champions Initiative to bolster innovation across the continent. TomTom’s mapping tools are being used to optimize electric vehicle charging networks, assess climate risk, and enhance logistics efficiency for commercial fleets.
In other company news, at TomTom’s annual meeting, shareholders reappointed Goddijn as CEO and added Pete Thompson to the supervisory board. (See paid subscriber access for more insight).
Are you ready for your next Trade Show? JB Media is your one-stop shop for printing, promotional products and corporate wearables. Let us help you prepare for your next show! Visit our website, e-mail us at Service@JimBrownMedia.com or call us direct at (720) 588-0493.
Kodiak to Go Public Through $2.5 Billion Merger with SPAC
Autonomous truck developer Kodiak Robotics announced this week that it will go public via a merger with Ares Acquisition Corporation II AACT 0.00%↑, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The deal values Kodiak at approximately $2.5 billion and is expected to close in the second half of 2025.
The transaction includes more than $110 million in committed capital from institutional investors, including Ares Management, Soros Fund Management, and ARK Investment Management. Kodiak will also gain access to approximately $551 million in cash held in Ares Acquisition Corp. II’s trust, assuming no redemptions.
Following the completion of the merger, the combined company will be named Kodiak and trade on the Nasdaq under a new ticker symbol. The capital infusion will help support Kodiak’s commercial deployment of its autonomous technology, which has already begun limited freight operations with industry partners.
Founded in 2018, Kodiak focuses on using artificial intelligence to develop self-driving systems specifically for long-haul trucking. The company’s technology is designed to improve safety and efficiency while addressing labor shortages in the freight sector. It has completed extensive real-world testing and recently received a large truck order from Atlas Energy Solutions.
Kodiak’s decision to pursue a public listing via SPAC comes as the autonomous vehicle industry seeks fresh capital to scale operations. The company said going public will enhance its ability to grow strategically while continuing to build partnerships with commercial carriers and logistics firms.
Google Maps Platform Integrates AI, Analytics for Enhanced Insights
Google GOOG 0.00%↑ is bolstering its Maps Platform with new artificial intelligence, data analytics, and environmental capabilities designed to empower developers, businesses, and cities to tackle complex challenges and create more helpful user experiences, the company announced Thursday. Leveraging its vast repository of information encompassing over 250 million places and Street View imagery across more than 110 countries, Google is expanding the platform's utility beyond basic mapping and navigation, according to its blog.
A key addition is Geospatial Analytics, which integrates Google Maps Platform datasets alongside Earth Engine datasets and capabilities directly into BigQuery. This integration marks the first time such comprehensive geospatial data will be readily accessible to data analysts and decision-makers for informed business and sustainability strategies, the company said. Newly available datasets in BigQuery include Imagery Insights (which is experimental), which uses Vertex AI to analyze Street View imagery for infrastructure condition assessment, and Places Insights (a preview), offering aggregated business intelligence based on ratings, hours, and accessibility.
Enhancing analytical capabilities, Roads Management Insights (in preview) will enable public sector and road authorities to analyze traffic patterns, identify accident-prone areas, and forecast traffic conditions using historical and real-time data. Earth Engine in BigQuery will allow organizations to derive sustainability insights from satellite imagery, such as wildfire risk and deforestation analysis, with new geospatial functions making advanced analysis accessible even without specialized remote sensing expertise, the company said. To provide a wider suite of tools, Google Earth will now offer no-code geospatial analytics, and its datasets will join the Google Maps Platform family, the company said.
Expanding its suite of Environment products launched at Cloud Next 2023, Google is introducing the Google Weather API in preview for developers. Utilizing trusted sources and proprietary algorithms, the API will provide current conditions, forecasts, and historical weather data. This will allow developers to integrate essential weather information into their applications for use cases ranging from trip planning to adapting to extreme weather events.
Google is also integrating its AI capabilities further into the Maps Platform. Building on previous AI advancements like keeping map data fresh and incorporating Gemini into Google Earth, the company announced the experimental release of Grounding with Google Maps in Vertex AI. This new feature will enable businesses to augment Gemini models with trusted and up-to-date information from Google Maps, allowing for more accurate and helpful responses from generative AI agents, the company said.
Weekly Location Industry News
News tip? Send them to kdennehy@driverlessreport.com. Go to www.locationbusinessnews.com for more news. Location Business News is looking for your company’s news, products and use cases to feature in each issue.
Top News:
😒 China Bars America's Shield AI Military Tech Amid Taiwan Row. “China’s Ministry of Commerce announced that it had added Shield AI, a San Diego-based defense technology company, along with five other U.S. firms, to its Unreliable Entity List, a move that bars these companies from engaging in trade or making new investments in China.”
📌 TV-Signal Based BPS Tested as Fallback for GPS. “According to the source report, BPS is currently being tested and is approaching the fourth (of six) development phases. At the latest, by 2027, we should see ATSC 3.0-based timing become available to the public. Then, by 2029, ATSC 3.0-based timing should be added to the mix. Of course, some kind of BPS receiver will be needed to use this positioning system, whether public or not.”
🙂 More BPS: Partnership to Demonstrate a GPS Independent Alternative Timing Capability. Logan Scott: “At the National PNT Advisory Board we have been advocating for such a capability under the rubric ‘High Accuracy Reference System’ or HARS (https://www.gps.gov/governance/advisory/recommendations/2023-05-white-paper-GPS-HARS.pdf and https://www.gps.gov/governance/advisory/meetings/2024-12/ECAS.pdf ).”
💲 AirIQ Announces Major Customer Win Accelerating Growth in Recurring Revenue. “AirIQ said it received a ‘customer win’ with ‘a global leader in the transportation logistics and compliance technology space.’ This customer, procured in conjunction with its partnership with Phillips Connect, is expected to generate $300,000 in annual recurring revenue over a period of several years.”
👉 Woolpert Partners with Teren to Further Expand its Geospatial Services. “Woolpert announced a partnership with Teren for collection and application of lidar data for oil and gas infrastructure.”
😉 Isn't It Ironic? Ukrainian Drones, Probably Guided by GPS, Blew Up 2 Russian GPS-Jammers.
✈ Aubert & Duval Boosts Aerospace Part Tracking with RFID Solution. “RFiD Discovery has deployed its LiftTrak solution at Aubert & Duval.”
Expert nationwide installation services for fleet technologies.
Maps
🏆 HERE at 40: 4 decades, 5,930 patents. “Back in 1994, before smartphones or ubiquitous GPS, HERE filed a patent for what would eventually transform into today’s online navigation systems. With this invention, users could request real-time route guidance from a central server, and the information would be sent back to their device.”
📲 Apple Maps Is My Go-to Choice for Directions — Here's How Apple Intelligence Could Make It Even Better. “In my experience, Apple's AAPL 0.00%↑ turn-by-turn navigations are pretty accurate (though maybe not when it comes to finding trailheads). Even though I drive an older car that lacks a built-in infotainment system, I'm able to connect my iPhone to the car's speaker system using Bluetooth, which means Siri's directions on which way to turn at the next light come through loud and clear.”
📌 Bee Maps Launches Beekeeper. “Bee Maps is announcing the launch of Beekeeper, a new AI application paired with the Bee LTE device that helps businesses turn their vehicles into a source of real-time insight and location awareness.”
Become a Paid Subscriber to Location Business News! Only $8 per month!
What Paid Subscribers get:
Full access to more than 200 Archived issues (stories, contacts, analysis).
A new subscriber-only Chat Board.
Access to Analysis and In-Depth Articles, plus People and Jobs.
Free entry to LBN-branded webinars and receptions at major trade shows (in development).
Steep Advertising Discounts for paid subscribers and Founding Members.
We average 30,000 views on our websites each month. Advertising starts at only $150 per issue. Please contact us at info@driverlessreport.com for more information…or go to our updated Advertising Page.
Connected and Autonomous Vehicles:
😮 Musk’s DOGE Purges NHTSA Experts On Self-Driving Risks, Guess Who Benefits? “News about recent firings by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest for the Tesla TSLA 0.00%↑ CEO.”
🤔 Qualcomm's Connected Car Moment Arrives. “McKinsey should pay a visit to Qualcomm QCOM 0.00%↑. They might learn a thing or two - and thereby avoid making absurd claims.”
👌 Waymo and Uber Prepare to Launch Robotaxi Service in Atlanta This Summer. “Under the partnership, only Uber UBER 0.00%↑ users can hail Waymo’s fleet of autonomous Jaguar I-PACE vehicles.”
🚗 Nissan to Roll Out ADAS Powered by Wayve AI in 2027. “Nissan will roll out its next generation of ProPILOT technology starting in fiscal year 2027. This new system will incorporate Nissan’s Ground Truth Perception technology, along with lidar and Wayve AI Driver software.”
👌 Blackberry Subsidiary to Power WeRide’s Self-Driving Cars. “Under the partnership, QNX will power WeRide’s WePilot advanced driver-assistance system.”
👍 Gatik Notches Key Milestone in Industry-First Third-Party Safety Audit.
🚘 Vodafone Advances V2X Safety Goal With Dutch Deal. “The Vodafone Safer Transport for Europe Platform (STEP) is now connected to the Urban Data Access Platform (UDAP) to alert drivers when an emergency service vehicle is approaching.”
🌍 Automated driving: German Carmakers, Industry Experts on Road Ahead. “But expect movement soon when it comes to robot cars. Mercedes-Benz aims to provide autonomous driving up to 95 km/h corresponding to Level 3 in some of its vehicles in 2025. The carmaker plans a 2++ system for urban driving in China mid-year, while Nissan aims to offer automated driving from 2027.”
📊 Three Juicy NB-NTN Use Cases That Viasat Is Pursuing. “Connected car might actually be the juiciest market for [Viasat VSAT 0.00%↑], in terms of the magnitude of it and the opportunities that it presents.”
🚍 Self-Driving Trucks Are Coming to I-70 in Ohio and Indiana. “Automated platooning allows multiple trucks to drive in close formation to improve fuel efficiency through drafting.”
Fleet Telematics:
🚑 New Trial Could Improve Efficiency of Ambulance Fleets. “South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) is part of a new trial looking to maximisz the efficiency of ambulance fleets. The trial, in collaboration with Ordnance Survey, involves a fleet of more than 300 emergency response vehicles.”
🚛 Juvare Integrates FleetUp to Deliver Real-Time Fleet and Asset Visibility in WebEOC Nexus. “With FleetUp’s real-time GPS tracking and telematics fully integrated into WebEOC Nexus, users can monitor fleet activity and asset availability in the same platform.”
🙂 Geotab Donates Fleet Technology to Midwest Food Bank. “Geotab is donating 100 of its GO tracking devices, asset and reefer monitoring, along with full access to its fleet management platform, MyGeotab.”
The D-Day Visitor's Handbook: Your Guide to the Normandy Battlefields and WWII Paris by Kevin Dennehy and Steve Powers. The guidebook uses location technology from what3words to locate monuments, museums and other attractions. Get your guidebook today.
Weekly Product News
Send your news releases to kdennehy@driverlessreport.com. Go to www.locationbusinessnews.com for more news and an archive of stories.
Lytx and Geotab Launch Unified Video and Telematics Fleet Platform
Lytx has unveiled Lytx+ with Geotab Integration, a new all-in-one fleet management solution combining video telematics with advanced vehicle data. The platform offers real-time insights into driver behavior and vehicle performance through a single interface, the company said.
Designed to improve safety and efficiency, the tool features video alerts, driver coaching, and analytics capabilities, the company said. The solution is available through authorized Lytx and Geotab partners.
Contact: Jason Andersen, Lytx, corpcomm@lytx.com, www.lytx.com.
Septentrio Launches GNSS, GNSS/INS Receivers
Septentrio, part of Hexagon, has launched of two new products: AsteRx RB3 GNSS receiver and AsteRx RBi3 GNSS/INS. Both receivers deliver centimeter-level positioning, even during heavy shocks and vibrations and other challenging environments, the company said.
A robust design allows AsteRx RB3 and RBi3 to be attached to the outside of heavy machinery or to a chassis, the company said. In addition, AsteRx RBi3 leverages FUSE+ technology to combine a high-performance GNSS engine with an industrial-grade inertial sensor, the company said.
Contact: Septentrio, www.septentrio.com.
Create a FREE ManyMe Account.
ORBCOMM Enhances Satellite IoT Service for Faster, Larger Messages
ORBCOMM announced enhancements to its OGx satellite IoT service, enabling larger messages at faster speeds and lower costs. The upgrade allows for messages up to 16kB, transmitted up to four times faster than the previous IDP service, empowering solution providers with more efficient and cost-effective IoT applications, the company said. According to ORBCOMM, these improvements will benefit industries such as agriculture, transportation, and maritime, by providing richer field data for better decision-making.
Contact: Lina Paerez, ORBCOMM, (613) 875-1485, paerez.lina@orbcomm.com, www.orbcomm.com.
New SpaceAnt GNSS Antenna Targets LEO Satellites
A new GNSS antenna specifically designed for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites has been unveiled by JAVAD GNSS, who says the offering provides stable phase center and functionality across single, dual, and triple frequency applications.
The SpaceAnt OEM GNSS antenna is presented as an ideal pairing for the space-hardened JAVAD TR-2S LEO OEM receiver, creating a complete GNSS solution for space-based applications, the company said.
Contact: JAVAD GNSS, www.javad.com.
Video Telematics Market Projected to Reach 17 Million Units by 2029
Berg Insight reported Wednesday that the installed base of video telematics systems in North America and Europe is forecast to reach 17 million units by 2029, driven by the increasing integration of cameras in commercial vehicles. North America currently leads the market with an estimated 6.1 million units in 2024, projected to reach 13.8 million by 2029, while Europe's 2024 base of 1.6 million is expected to grow to 3.3 million. Berg Insight identified Streamax, Lytx, and Samsara as key players in the market, which includes specialists, general fleet telematics providers, and hardware suppliers. The trend towards integrated solutions and partner-based strategies, exemplified by the Lytx+Geotab offering, is shaping the market.
Contact: Johan Fagerberg, Berg Insight, 46 31 711 30 91, johan.fagerberg@berginsight.com.
Click HERE to Join our growing Location Business News LinkedIn Group!
News Analysis: TomTom Highlights Enterprise Growth and Automotive Software Focus in Quarterly Results
TomTom reported an encouraging start to 2025 with growing revenues and strategic progress in the first quarter, benefiting from investments in its mapping technology, CEO Harold Goddijn said during an earnings call Tuesday.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Location Business News to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.