TomTom Joins Forces With Microsoft to Bring Generative AI to the Automotive Industry

TomTom, the location technology specialist, is teaming up with Microsoft to bring the benefits of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to the global automotive industry. Leveraging Microsoft's AI achievements, TomTom has developed a fully integrated, AI-powered conversational automotive assistant that offers sophisticated voice interaction with infotainment, location search, and vehicle command systems.

Drivers can converse naturally with their vehicle and ask the AI-powered assistant to navigate to a certain location, find specific stops along their route, and vocally control onboard systems to, for instance, turn up the temperature, open windows, or change radio stations. All with a single interaction.

The solution integrates Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service to take advantage of large language models.

The solution is also built into TomTom’s Digital Cockpit, an open, modular in-vehicle infotainment platform.

TomTom started working with Microsoft in 2016, with TomTom powering Azure Maps location services, and the companies later expanding their partnership to mapping data and services for Microsoft's first-party maps. 

“Mike Schoofs, Chief Revenue Officer, TomTom, says: “Together with Microsoft, our shared vision is to drive innovation with generative AI and provide our customers with even better solutions. Leveraging our navigation and technology expertise, we’re creating a groundbreaking new way for people to interact with their vehicles. With both companies integrating what they do best into one solution, we’re transforming the in-vehicle experience, enabling drivers to ask their car for anything and trust it will deliver."

“With this next generation of AI, we have a unique opportunity to accelerate innovation across the entire automotive sector,” adds Dominik Wee, Corporate Vice President for Manufacturing and Mobility, Microsoft. “We’re building on our longstanding collaboration with TomTom and bringing together AI advances across the Microsoft Cloud with TomTom's automotive expertise to provide drivers and carmakers with new AI-powered tools. This integration will enable OEMs to offer highly differentiated and unique cockpit experiences, while preserving their unique brand identity.”

Headquartered in Amsterdam with 3,800+ employees around the globe, TomTom has been helping people find their way in the world for over 30 years.