TomTom launches IndiGO, the world's first open digital cockpit software platform

On November 30, geolocation technology expert TomTom announced the launch of TomTom IndiGO, the world's first open digital cockpit software platform for automakers, which can seamlessly and securely introduce users' digital life and car functions into the dashboard experience.

With a common user interface, the platform unifies all occupant and driver displays, providing access to climate control, audio system, vehicle system settings, and the latest applications and services. IndiGO can be operated by voice and touch, including steering wheel controls. IndiGO's online connectivity, deep integration with vehicle systems, and focus on driver situation and environment enable a uniquely safe and intuitive user experience that continues to improve over time.

(Image source: TomTom)

“Vehicle software development is slow and expensive for automakers, and TomTom IndiGO perfectly meets this customer need,” said Harold Goddijn, CEO of TomTom. “With IndiGO, we are providing automakers with a powerful, flexible and cost-effective development environment to create best-in-class digital experiences, keeping costs constant while significantly reducing time. The innovative TomTom IndiGO provides automakers with a platform to deploy modern software development principles such as rapid prototyping, fast deployment and incremental improvements. With TomTom IndiGO, automakers and their software partners have a framework for efficient collaboration, continuous integration and incremental improvements. TomTom IndiGO will only improve over time, thanks to online connectivity and an open and growing ecosystem of app developers and service providers.”

Designed to benefit the driver and passengers

TomTom IndiGO offers a comprehensive user experience and is an extension of the driver's digital life. The new digital cockpit platform automatically recognizes the driver's profile through the phone, personalizes the driver's menu according to preferences and applications, and syncs the driver's calendar to display future plans.

IndiGO covers all in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) displays and provides a large number of applications from professional partners to enrich the user experience. IndiGO can sense and connect to the outside world, and drivers and passengers will be able to send messages to friends, enjoy a wide range of entertainment activities, and perform operations using leading productivity applications under safe conditions.

With TomTom IndiGO, drivers can easily extend their car connected experience from a distance. In addition, customers can easily connect to the companion app and prepare for their next trip, such as presetting the heating in cold conditions or checking the vehicle's charging status.

The platform is integrated with TomTom’s new suite of automotive and electric vehicle (EV) navigation technologies. Drivers will have access to cloud-native hybrid navigation, which gives them super-fast and up-to-date routing, searchable and updated maps, and precise range and route information for electric vehicles.

The safety and comfort of drivers and passengers were the focus of TomTom IndiGO’s development. Unlike other digital cockpit platforms, IndiGO integrates with onboard systems including vehicle sensors, enabling it to display reliable and useful information related to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), accurately estimate EV range, and pre-condition EV batteries for faster charging.

TomTom IndiGO heralds a new era in software and IVI development

TomTom IndiGO provides automakers with the foundation to create immersive brand experiences that benefit drivers by reducing risk, cost and time to market compared to other solutions. IndiGO also provides a framework for automakers’ software engineers, user experience and brand teams, and software development partners to work harmoniously together.

With IndiGO, car manufacturers can deliver a fully functional user experience. TomTom provides access to the IndiGO source code, so automotive customers can freely modify and extend the modular software platform.

Designed for different displays and hardware configurations, the flexible platform comes with a robust set of development and customization tools that enable automakers and industry suppliers to easily create custom-branded, non-distracting user interfaces.

Before the car goes into production, the software will run on standard hardware with simulated hardware interfaces, allowing the final product to be tested and adjusted before shipment. Through these pre-integrated, user-tested modules and modern collaborative workflow principles, TomTom is able to drive efficient and predictable software development, aiming to reduce development costs for automakers by 80%.

IndiGO runs on the universal Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS), so automakers can easily develop and integrate new applications and services for the platform, or expand it. Through online connectivity, the platform's software, applications, services and plug-ins can be updated and expanded over the air. This means that automakers will be able to continuously integrate new innovations throughout the life cycle of the vehicle and gain new sources of revenue.

TomTom IndiGO is delivered via a flexible and scalable SDK and an easy-to-use API, so different displays can be easily customized. This highly adaptable platform works globally across multiple brands, car series (entry, production or premium) and vehicle types.

Supported by a global and local community of partners and application developers

TomTom IndiGO goes beyond the limitations of other digital cockpit software development platforms. The platform provides an open and secure space for automakers, system integrators, software development companies and content providers to share existing applications and build new applications that can transform their business models.

TomTom’s open partner ecosystem also provides vendors with opportunities to create new revenue streams. TomTom makes it easy for developers to get started with IndiGO and provides assistance through an SDK that includes a robust API, supporting documentation and code samples.