The OpenStreetMap US team is thrilled to announce our latest organizational member, TomTom. In 2019, TomTom attended and sponsored its first State of the Map US in Minneapolis, and has been a growing part of the OSM US community and a SOTMUS sponsor ever since. Organizational membership demonstrates TomTom’s commitment to the OSM ecosystem and supports projects that companies like TomTom rely on, including OSMCha, MapRoulette and the OSM US Tasking Manager. Shaundrea Kenyon, Director of Community & Partnerships, Maps shared more about TomTom’s commitment to open data in this interview:
How does TomTom utilize OpenStreetMap?
In 2023, TomTom expanded its Orbis Maps Platform globally, incorporating various data sources, including OSM data, to enhance coverage and detail. OpenStreetMap contributes valuable base maps, pedestrian pathways, and visual features, which complement TomTom’s proprietary data. This integration is especially beneficial for applications in urban planning, disaster response, and mobility services.
What inspired TomTom to become an organizational member of OpenStreetMap US?
At TomTom, we believe in the power of open data and community collaboration to shape the future of mapping. Joining OpenStreetMap US as an organizational member is a natural extension of our commitment to support the global OSM ecosystem. We’re proud to contribute in part by engaging directly with local mapping communities around the globe, empowering individual contributors, and championing data quality. Together, we can build richer, more accessible maps for everyone.
What future TomTom projects/programs/collaborations are you excited about?
We’re excited about the growing opportunities to support OpenStreetMap through global sponsorships of local chapters, and by working with partners like HOT OSM, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and Missing Maps to aid humanitarian and disaster response mapping. We’re also passionate about spreading awareness of the value of local mapping—whether that’s through universities, municipal partnerships, or supporting YouthMappers chapters worldwide. Leveraging the expertise of our mapping team to help identify and address quality issues globally, we’re committed to collaborating across the OSM ecosystem to continuously improve the richness and reliability of the map.
The OSM US team looks forward to this growing partnership. Welcome, TomTom!
OSM US Organizational Memberships are available for companies, educational institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies looking to demonstrate their support for OpenStreetMap in the United States and invest in the project’s future. Is your company or organization interested in learning more about OpenStreetMap US organizational membership? For more information, email membership@openstreetmap.us.
OpenStreetMap US is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization advancing geospatial data democracy in the United States by catalyzing collaborative action around OpenStreetMap between individuals, government agencies, nonprofits, corporations, and academia.
