Our story

It started with a simple idea: Make digital navigation accessible for everyone.


Four like-minded entrepreneurs founded TomTom in 1991. By 2004, their dream of portable navigation was a reality for millions of drivers around the world. The first TomTom satnav became one of the fastest-selling consumer technology devices in history, making our name synonymous with navigation.

Thirty years and billions of drives later, we are the leading independent geolocation technology specialist. Our decades of insights go into everything we do – maps, digital cockpit solutions, navigation software, routing and ETAs, APIs and traffic data for all.

In our ongoing quest to help people, goods and vehicles understand their place in the world so they can go further in it, we’ve been working on breaking the barrier to real-time mapping.

Together with our customers and partners, we’re collecting resources from around the globe to create the largest, richest geolocation database available. All to make fresh, accurate maps that help people find their way in the world.

Milestones

2024

TomTom Orbis Maps and its world leading traffic data transform public sector with solutions for smart cities and national governments

2023

TomTom brings generative AI into the vehicle with large language models (LLM) for truly engaging driving experiences

2022

The TomTom Orbis Maps pools map content from map users around the world to set new standard in mapmaking

2021

TomTom launches the TomTom Digital Cockpit – an open, modular software platform to transform the future of connected driving

2020

TomTom begins Map Editing Partnerships with Uber, among others

2019

TomTom’s first autonomous vehicle is launched to test and improve automated driving technologies

2018

TomTom introduces a complete set of maps APIs for developers

2015

TomTom launches High Definition Maps for automated driving

2015

TomTom’s innovative Transactional Map Making platform is created, enabling real-time map-making at scale

2009

TomTom introduces the world’s first sub-€500 embedded navigation solution with Renault

2008

TomTom acquires TeleAtlas, entering the mapping market

2007

TomTom enters the automotive market

2006

TomTom pioneers the use of real-time traffic service based on mobile network triangulation and GPS trace data

2005

TomTom is the first to use historic travel times as a basis for route calculation, vastly improving accuracy and estimated travel times

2005

TomTom enters the fleet management market – goes on to build Europe’s largest fleet platform

2004

TomTom GO – the world’s first all-in-one satnav device – is launched, changing driving forever

2002

TomTom introduces the world’s first street-level maps application for Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)

1996

Invention of the world’s first route-planning software for mobile devices

1991

Palmtop Software is founded in Amsterdam, becoming TomTom in 2003