TomTom Releases Open Source Mapping and Location Technology

TomTom, a provider of navigation solutions and digital maps, has delivered OpenLR, a new, open-source dynamic location referencing technology as an open standard for the navigation, mapping and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Industry.

OpenLR, which TomTom announced on Sept. 8, has been designed for traffic information systems and dynamic route guidance, and is available as an open-source technology. It can easily be adapted to the requirements of system integrators, and the technical community can contribute with their ideas to improve it, TomTom officials said. More information on TomTom's OpenLR can be found here.

Location data can range from static road sign information to highly dynamic traffic and weather situation information as well as safety-critical information – anything that needs to be accurately linked to a specific piece of or position on the road network, the company said. The OpenLR technology allows location content providers to reference any location on any navigable map, completely royalty-free.

“This technological development is being introduced to the open source community to assist in delivering location based services to customers,” said Mark Gretton, TomTom's director of product engineering. “TomTom will use this technology for its own services too, allowing us to transmit content like HD Traffic to connected devices and improve service quality and coverage.”

The technology will be presented and discussed in detail during the ITS World Congress 2009, which runs September 21-25 in Stockholm.