When we think of a map, most of us picture a line from point A to point B. A voice telling us to turn left in 300 meters. Maybe a red line to mark congestion piling up. But for the vehicles of tomorrow — increasingly software-defined, connected, autonomous — that definition is far too small.

Every year, the leading voices in tech and sustainability gather at the IAA MOBILITY summit to collaborate on the future of mobility and explore the innovations that will help us get there. This year, mapmaking company TomTom is heading to Munich to showcase its advanced traffic and navigation solutions — from autonomous driving to faster, more affordable software integration. TomTom’s SVP of Product Engineering Manuela Locarno Ajayi (formerly of Microsoft and Amazon) will also be taking the stage to deliver a keynote-style talk that delves into the growing role of maps in modern vehicles and how our limited understanding of maps could limit future technology.

The closer we get to the future of driving, the more apparent it becomes that the real breakthroughs are happening in software. The experience of driving a vehicle is no longer just about cylinders, engine configurations and gearboxes. Vehicles are becoming rolling computers, updated over the air with new capabilities, tailored to the driver and connected to the world around them.

Drivers now expect an in-vehicle experience that feels fresh, connects with their digital lives outside the car and is always up to date. But for vehicles to deliver, they need a detailed, dynamic understanding of the world — something sensors alone can’t provide.

Many in the industry believe that cameras, radar and lidar are enough to make vehicles safe and efficient — after all, they ‘see’ the world in front of the car. But sensors see only what’s immediately around them, and only in the moment.

Today, the role of maps in the car goes much further than just navigation. Maps provide the context that’s key to building successful autonomous vehicles — giving them foresight, identifying hazards far in advance, anticipating complex intersections and reacting to road changes based on thousands of data points every second. They inform the car about the sharp bend 200 meters ahead, the speed limit beyond the next hill, the lane layout of a tricky junction or the location of a temporary closure before it even comes into view.

For any carmaker building ADAS or hoping to achieve autonomy in their vehicles, maps are essential. Without them, vehicles operate with a limited view of the world and can struggle in unexpected scenarios — from sudden detours to roadworks.

As carmakers progress through the stages of automation, highly accurate, reliable and frequently updated maps are crucial to achieving safety goals without putting drivers and passengers at risk. These same maps are also enabling the next generation of navigation for everyday drivers. That’s where TomTom comes in.

Built from the ground up as 3D-native, TomTom Orbis Maps starts with the richest, most detailed view of the world available — from lane-level geometry to bridge heights, crossings and traffic lights. Powered by AI and machine learning, it automatically detects and updates up to 95% of changes in minutes, not months, making it possible to map every road, everywhere, at speed and scale.

This is made possible by TomTom’s unmatched mix of data sources — from satellites and sensor-equipped vehicles to lidar, radar, open data and real-time driver feedback. Combined, they give vehicles the ability to anticipate hazards and navigate all kinds of roads with confidence.

When navigation systems are built on such granular information, drivers not only travel more safely but enjoy a richer experience. The option to choose feature packages according to specific business needs adds flexibility for carmakers and OEMs. And by combining AI algorithms with human expertise, TomTom produces its ADAS maps in a way that keeps costs manageable while scaling globally.

With its long history of working in-vehicle, integrating systems and building in-car experiences, TomTom is uniquely positioned to optimize in-vehicle technology and experiences across the entire stack — from voice assistants to navigation, mapping and location search.

TomTom’s vision for the future of driving sits at the heart of Manuela Locarno Ajayi’s talk at IAA MOBILITY. In her session titled Beyond navigation: How maps will continue to change the future of driving, happening on Wednesday, September 10, from 12:30 –12:45pm,
Ajayi will explore how maps like Orbis are reshaping our understanding of what’s possible in the car, why the future of driving depends on them and how rethinking the map could unlock safer, smarter and more enjoyable journeys for everyone.

Get a closer understanding of our vision by attending Manuela’s talk and get hands-on with the tech shaping modern mobility at Hall A1 – A30 / Hall A2 – C30.