As some of you noticed, IoT Evolution was out at CTIA last week, knocking down the doors and having some great conversations with the folks on the ground in the IoT.
One of the most enlightening was with Doug Wilmot, head of Business Development for North America, Transportation Logistics and Telematics at TomTom. Yes, you read that right. TomTom: the company you know best for making GPS devices for your car in 2003. Well, if that’s all you know about the company you’re missing a big boat.
The company is divided into four basic business units: hardware and consumer GPS, maps and licensing (into OEM cars and other GPS units), automotive/autonomous driving partnerships, and telematics (it’s the biggest provider in Europe, fyi).
And now, in a release from the show, the company is proving it is no one to be trifled with or underestimated.
The new TomTom BRIDGE Connected is a rugged navigation device built for vehicle fleets that seamlessly connects business applications with TomTom maps, traffic, and navigation. It allows fleet drivers to directly connect with their customers, get updates as they happen and communicate with the home office easily, thanks to its built-in modem for wireless functionality.
“We are excited to further empower mobile workers with TomTom BRIDGE Connected,” said Jocelyn Vigreux, President, TomTom. “Wireless connectivity will now allow drivers to always stay in contact with their customers and company headquarters, while seamlessly recording critical data such as delivery addresses, change of locations, or pick up times. Combined with TomTom’s best-in-class on-board mapping and navigation and rugged, purpose-built design, drivers will be able to make smarter and time sensitive driving decisions even faster.”
Life on the road is rough, and TomTom has built the Bridge device to survive. It has a solid industrial design, 7-inch screen, fully customizable Android interface and Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. It comes with a lifetime subscription to TomTom Maps and TomTom Traffic and operates on 3G GSM. In addition to 3G, it includes the integration of applications and connection to TomTom’s SDKs, innovative hardware features such as Near-Field Communication, an integrated camera, flash, Bluetooth, a loud speaker for vehicle use, and a custom charging cradle that can be mounted in any vehicle in a wide variety of vehicle configurations. It is expected to cost about $650, which is significantly lower than other fleet management devices.
TomTom BRIDGE Connected will be available later in September across North America.
Time for your fleet to Go Confidently.
Edited by
Alicia Young