What sort of stuff do you do with HERE technology?
“Traditional map making. On top of that, HERE location. That’s a worldwide cloud-based platform with all kinds of location services like mapping, routing, guidance, traffic positioning. We serve applications on phones. We have Here Drive on Nokia’s Windows phones, and make applications for Amazon on the Kindle. Websites like Bing and Yahoo use our services. We also provide connected driving: automotive solutions such as finding fuel, parking, navigation solutions. Even finding your next charging point for electric cars.”
What is “connected driving”?
“A car is a very specific environment where regulation, safety and convenience are all very important. Driving is not an easy task, so providing intelligent services, like showing parking when you’re close to your destination, and showing affordable fuel stations which are connected to your fuel tank levels, makes it easier and more enjoyable and safer for drivers.”
Do you work with car manufacturers?
“Yes, and suppliers to the automotive world. They build systems that go into the car. We collect the data to get accurate information, like speed and direction, so we can provide continuous guidance. It’s important to look at this as a hybrid technology. There’s always data in the car. We complement that with real-time updates: high propriety updates, for example. If a bridge collapses, we can immediately send that information to maps in cars.”
What are future innovations for HERE connected?
“This is an industry which is changing. People expect cars to update data just like they expect it from their mobile devices. We process 1.7m map changes per day. Today people update their maps maybe once a year. We do daily map updates. The technology starts to learn your driving behaviour. You can read on your phone that your daily route is blocked by an accident. The technology is not only in your car, it’s also bringing the relevant data and information outside the car to your phone, tablet or computer.”