TomTom and tech companies are going to build an open map platform together

TomTom starts a joint venture with Amazon, Meta and Microsoft to create maps based on open data. The new Overture Maps Foundation will become part of the Linux Foundation.

TomTom, Meta, Microsoft and cloud division AWS of Amazon write in a press release that they start a new foundation together, called the Overture Maps Foundation. The foundation will develop an open standard for map software. Other manufacturers can then use it. In the example mentioned in the press release, Overture will create a basemap, which TomTom’s Maps maps will then be based on. Companies can also use their own data to expand such maps themselves.

The foundation will also create and release map data under an open data license, although the companies do not say exactly which license that is. The companies in the Overture foundation hope that other companies will use that data in their own maps. The foundation is part of the Linux Foundation and falls under its responsibility.

In addition to maps, the foundation will also create a reference system that will make maps interoperable, as well as a quality control process and a data structure scheme. The makers say they want to collaborate with other projects that make open maps, such as OpenStreetMap. Other companies can still sign up to the joint venture, the companies say. The first datasets should be released in the first half of 2023. This will then consist of a map with only buildings and roads, but new tools such as 3D data will be added later.