TomTom has reiterated its support for map-based automated driving architectures, arguing that high-definition, continuously updated maps remain a critical component of advanced driver assistance and autonomous driving systems.
The company said its position is reinforced by a recent agreement with CARIAD, the software subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, which will use TomTom’s Orbis Maps in its automated driving platform.
According to TomTom, lane-level mapping provides structural information about the road network that vehicle sensors alone cannot reliably detect in all conditions.
Some automakers have promoted sensor-only approaches to automated driving, relying on cameras, radar and lidar to interpret the surrounding environment in real time. However, TomTom said such systems face limitations in conditions including fog, snow, direct sunlight and around visual obstructions such as buildings or other vehicles.
Maps can supplement sensor data by providing verified road geometry, lane configurations, traffic signal locations and other contextual information, allowing automated systems to anticipate upcoming driving conditions.
The company said this ability to anticipate events rather than simply react to them can improve vehicle behavior and reduce sudden or unpredictable driving actions.
TomTom cited intelligent speed assistance systems as an example of the benefits of combining mapping data with sensor inputs. The company said systems that fuse map and sensor data perform more reliably than sensor-only versions when detecting speed limits.
The partnership with CARIAD signals continued industry interest in combining multiple technologies to support automated driving development.
By integrating Orbis Maps into its automated driving stack, CARIAD is adopting a hybrid architecture that blends real-time perception with pre-validated mapping data, according to TomTom.
The mapping company said the broader industry trend is moving toward systems that combine sensors, artificial intelligence and high-definition maps to improve reliability and enable wider geographic deployment.
TomTom added that maps can also serve as a reference layer to validate artificial intelligence interpretations of the driving environment, helping reduce potential errors in automated decision-making.
As higher levels of automation are developed, the company said integrating multiple data sources will become increasingly important for ensuring consistent performance and safety.
