Here Maps for Navigation and soon Autonomous Cars

Written by Michael McDermott

Formally known as Nokia, HERE maps is a web mapping platform similar to Google Maps or Apple Maps. HERE maps was recently purchased by the huge Auto Companies, AUDI AG, BMW, and Daimler AG for 3 billion dollars. These large auto industry leaders believe HERE maps will be the Vital Technology for self-driving cars all based off of the HERE Location Cloud.

HERE Maps goal is to become “an open location platform accessible to all customers-within and outside the automotive industry- who seek to leverage the power of location in their businesses.”

​I believe HERE maps will take the place of Google and Apple maps very soon. HERE is strictly focused on the mapping aspect unlike Google and Apple who focus on a wide verity of other services.
 
Here are some awesome features HERE maps has that other navigation mapping platforms do not.
 
Maps in 196 countries
Public Transit maps
Over 90,000 building maps
Works online and offline
Amazing real time traffic info
 
HERE maps has some of the best traffic Information out of all other navigation platforms. There is a dedicated team working 24/7 to gather and update traffic information. HERE Maps traffic team can even use verified Twitter feeds and police reports to make sure traffic information is useful. The Map devices also have the ability to Connect or talk with other devices or cars using HERE maps technology. Here’s how the company website puts it…
 
“Say there was a dangerous pothole on a busy section of road; data could be crowdsourced from cars via the cloud in the area to update the HD maps of cars approaching this road.”
 
The cars will also talk to each other if there is traffic or an accident. Over all this new technology of Maps talking to each other and updating 24/7 will make your commute much safer and faster. With more and more cars using HERE maps the Software will get better and this technology of cars connecting with each other will be a huge factor contributing to the autonomous cars safety.

​Another Feature HERE maps has, is the ability to work off line. I know I could have used that when traveling in another country when there’s no cell service. HERE Maps gives you the option to save the interactive maps directly on a device and then use them for navigation offline. 

Unlike Google maps, HERE maps give you options about how you want to make your route. You can say you want the fastest way possible, or you can say that you want the most scenic comfortable speed route.

HERE Maps still isn’t perfect, the company doesn’t have the huge databases as Google, but with the new Auto industry investors, and with time this company will soon become the number one used interactive map for navigation and businesses because of their dedication to collection real-time Map data through the HERE Location Cloud.