Three of the world’s leading mapping and navigation technology companies are racing to redefine the future of automated driving, each unveiling major advancements that promise to reshape how drivers interact with their vehicles and the world around them. On January 12, 2026, TomTom, Mapbox, and Dynamic Map Platform North America (DMP NA) all announced significant updates, partnerships, and innovations that highlight a growing industry consensus: high-definition, AI-powered mapping is at the heart of next-generation driver assistance and automation.
TomTom, a veteran in digital mapping, is doubling down on its partnership with CARIAD, the automotive software powerhouse within Volkswagen Group. According to BizClik Media, Volkswagen Group has now standardized TomTom’s Orbis Maps as a cornerstone of CARIAD’s automated driving system architecture. This move embeds high-definition, cloud-connected mapping into the core vehicle software used across a range of Volkswagen Group brands, ensuring that spatial intelligence is continuously updated and available throughout the carmaker’s future fleet.
What does this mean for drivers? Orbis Maps acts as a map-based layer that complements traditional vehicle sensors—radar, lidar, and cameras—by supplying precise, real-time location data. The system provides detailed and consistent information about road layouts, speed limits, and lane positions—data that can often elude even the most advanced sensors in challenging conditions. This added context is vital for safety-critical systems, such as Intelligent Speed Assistance and hands-free driving features, which depend on reliable data to make split-second decisions in complex driving environments.
Francisco Ramon Moreno Garcia, Head of Maps at CARIAD, summed up the significance: “High-quality and fresh maps are a foundational part of safe and scalable automated driving today. As AI perception continues to advance, maps stay important as contextual layers that enhance what the sensors see in real time.” The industry is clearly moving toward hybrid models of perception, blending sensor input with map intelligence to achieve greater robustness and transparency in automated decision-making.
Mike Schoofs, Chief Revenue Officer at TomTom, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration: “This is a testament to the strength of our product and the depth of our technical collaboration with CARIAD. TomTom brings not only cutting-edge technology but also the ability to deliver solutions that meet Volkswagen Group’s evolving needs. This collaboration reinforces our leadership in the future of driving.”
Behind the scenes, TomTom’s AI-native mapping platform is what powers Orbis Maps. Designed for real-time, collaborative mapping at scale, the platform constructs detailed lane geometry and behavioral attributes—such as turn restrictions and driving patterns—at the lane level. Updates occur at minute-level intervals, drawing from vehicle sensors, aerial imagery, and survey vehicles. With coverage spanning over 235 countries and territories, TomTom is positioning itself as a full-stack map provider for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and developers, offering a suite of APIs, software development kits, routing systems, and real-time traffic feeds.
Meanwhile, Mapbox, a company whose technology often flies under the radar despite powering many in-car navigation systems, has announced a private preview of its new 3D Lanes feature in the Mapbox Navigation SDK. As reported by autoevolution, this innovation, developed in collaboration with BMW, provides drivers with a 3D visualization of complex intersections and highway forks. The imagery is strikingly realistic, featuring lane markings, geometries, and even 3D models of bridges, overpasses, and tunnels.
The goal is clear: Mapbox wants drivers to embrace the built-in navigation systems in their vehicles—many of which already rely on Mapbox technology—instead of defaulting to mobile apps like Google Maps or Waze. By offering a more immersive and intuitive navigation experience, Mapbox hopes to make the case for sticking with the car’s native system. The 3D Lanes feature builds on previous releases of 3D buildings and landmarks, further enhancing the realism and utility of in-car navigation.
The feature is currently available as a private preview for developers, with broader availability and regional specifics yet to be announced. However, Mapbox has made clear that 3D Lanes is intended for both in-car systems and, eventually, mobile apps built on its platform. This approach mirrors recent trends from Apple and Google, both of which have introduced increasingly detailed 3D and immersive mapping experiences, though these remain limited to select regions due to the sheer volume of data required for widespread rollout.
While Mapbox and TomTom focus on enhancing the navigational experience and supporting automated driving, Dynamic Map Platform North America (DMP NA) is zeroing in on safety and driver confidence with its high-definition map data. DMP NA announced it has been selected by Subaru Corporation to provide the HD map data for Subaru’s new Advanced EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, debuting in the 2026 Subaru Outback.
According to Business Wire, Subaru’s Advanced EyeSight system includes a suite of features: Highway Hands-Free Assist, Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection, Highway Active Lane Change Assist, Pre-Curve Speed Control, and Automatic Resume Assist. Chris Thibodeau, CEO and President of DMP NA, expressed his enthusiasm: “DMP is excited to have a part in increasing the performance of Subaru’s world-class EyeSight system. This enhancement will provide certainty and safety for drivers. DMP will continue to develop innovative geospatial products that change the world. We express our sincerest appreciation to Subaru for this opportunity.”
DMP NA has been providing precise HD maps for advanced driver assistance systems since 2017, with a focus on delivering safety and confidence on the road. The company’s technology is designed to function reliably across a range of conditions, though Subaru emphasizes that the system’s effectiveness depends on factors such as vehicle maintenance, weather, and road conditions—reminding drivers that responsibility ultimately lies behind the wheel. Hands-Free Assist features are available only on select trims, require a subscription for map updates, and are limited to certain highways, reflecting a cautious and safety-first approach to rolling out advanced automation.
Collectively, these announcements signal a new phase in the evolution of mapping and navigation technology for vehicles. The industry is moving rapidly toward a future where high-definition, AI-powered maps are not just a nice-to-have, but a core component of automated driving systems. Whether it’s TomTom’s real-time, cloud-connected Orbis Maps, Mapbox’s immersive 3D Lanes, or DMP NA’s safety-focused HD data for Subaru, the message is clear: the map is becoming as important as the road itself.
As these technologies continue to develop, drivers can expect safer, smarter, and more intuitive experiences behind the wheel—provided, of course, they’re ready to embrace a world where their car knows the road ahead better than ever before.