In a first for South Africa and just in time for the World Cup, navigation solutions and digital maps provider TomTom is bringing live traffic updates to their in-car navigational devices. Dubbed the LIVE Service offering, the first of TomTom’s devices featuring their HD Traffic information will be the GO 750 LIVE, available from today.

 

TomTom GPS units which incorporate the LIVE Service will also ship with a SIM card which will allow it to receive additional internet based services such as Google Local Search functionality and weather reports. Safety Alerts featuring both fixed speed cameras and live reporting of temporary speed cameras are also included.

 

Traffic information for HD Traffic is provided via a deal between TomTom, Tracker and TrafficNet. Tracker has more than 100 000 vehicles in South Africa fitted with their SkyTrax tracking solution, which provides real-time feedback on traffic situations. Combined with the information received via TrafficNet, provider of traffic news for e.tv and Classic FM amongst others, traffic information is refreshed every three minutes.

 

HD Traffic, safety alerts and weather are displayed on-screen via the new LIVE snapshot feature. Once on the road, drivers automatically receive real-time updates on what’s ahead, so they remain informed about the traffic incidents and estimated time of arrival throughout their journey.

  

The TomTom GO 750 LIVE includes an one year LIVE Services subscription and will retail for R3299. Subscription to the LIVE Services after that will cost R499.

 

TomTom also announced the availability of IQ Routes technology and advanced lane guidance in South Africa. TomTom’s smart routing technologies allow for more precise route calculation and travel times and provide clearer route guidance. 

 

“We are constantly launching innovating technologies to save the driver’s time, money and fuel.” says Joost Jetten, vice president sales Sub Sahara Africa at TomTom. “Our unique innovations guarantee the fastest routes, so users are empowered to confidently deal with the ever-changing road situation we face in South Africa.”