Auto makers seek mapping technology

If you propose to build an autonomous vehicle, or one that provides extensive driver assistance, you are going to need a map, or at least the underlying map technology. That requirement is causing Nokia to seek high bids for its mapping service, Here, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Nokia created Here from its purchase of Navteq in 2008 for about $6.3 billion, the Journal reports, adding that recent offers have been just more than $3 billion. Potential buyers include a consortium of German car makers and a group led by the ride-sharing company Uber, which is looking into developing autonomous vehicles.

Here says it creates connected navigation solutions for next-generation highly automated vehicles, connecting cars to local infrastructure such as traffic lights and parking spaces (potentially leading to data traffic jams).

The Journal quotes Kevin Hamlin, senior analyst for connected cars at IHS Automotive, as saying, “Car manufacturers have realized that they have to completely change their model; they need to become more software oriented and less hardware oriented.”

IHS estimates Here will generate about €600 million in revenue from automotive-mapping services this year, vs. €64 million for TomTom, the Journal reports.