TomTom and Microsoft Accelerate Next-Gen Automotive Navigation with AI Integration
Meta Description: TomTom and Microsoft are deepening their partnership to deliver AI-powered navigation experiences for drivers, reducing development time for automakers.
LAS VEGAS, January 8, 2026 – TomTom (TOM2) and Microsoft today announced an expanded collaboration aimed at revolutionizing in-vehicle navigation and digital experiences. The partnership will integrate Azure OpenAI and other Microsoft Azure services into TomTom’s automotive solutions, including the TomTom Automotive Navigation Application and the innovative TomTom AI Agent.
As vehicles increasingly become sophisticated digital platforms, drivers are demanding seamless and intelligent navigation systems. This collaboration addresses that need by providing automakers with a customizable platform capable of delivering branded navigation experiences in a fraction of the traditional development time. According to a company release, automakers can now expect production-ready solutions in weeks, rather than months.
A key component of this advancement is the TomTom AI Agent, which leverages Azure OpenAI within Microsoft Foundry Models to offer drivers a truly natural voice control experience. This proactive system doesn’t simply respond to commands; it anticipates driver needs, learns from behavior, and enhances road safety through intuitive speech-based search and navigation.
The integration extends beyond voice control, utilizing Azure Cosmos DB and Azure Kubernetes Service to create a scalable and robust architecture. This pre-integrated solution significantly reduces time-to-market for automakers and eliminates the ongoing burden of developing and maintaining custom use cases, with updates delivered seamlessly via the cloud. Furthermore, the architecture provides automakers with greater control over branding and the flexibility to innovate while maintaining a premium user experience.
“Our collaboration with TomTom reflects our commitment to delivering intelligent navigation systems that put safety, efficiency, and the driver experience first,” stated a senior official at Microsoft. “Together, we’re helping automakers create seamless, branded experiences that meet the expectations of today’s digital drivers and shape the future of mobility.”
Manuela Locarno Ajayi, SVP for Product Engineering at TomTom, echoed this sentiment, stating, “As the future of driving becomes increasingly software-defined, TomTom and Microsoft are at the forefront, engineering confidence in every journey.” She added that the partnership harnesses the power of Azure OpenAI to deliver intelligent, seamless solutions that prioritize driver safety and satisfaction, while also enabling faster innovation and a fully customizable platform for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Attendees of CES 2026 will have the opportunity to experience the power of this collaboration firsthand at the Wynn Encore Hospitality Suites. TomTom will showcase intelligent navigation, electric vehicle (EV) routing, proactive hazard alerts, and lane-level guidance, demonstrating a new benchmark for voice technology within the automotive industry.
TomTom, a global leader in location technology, leverages billions of data points from millions of sources and hundreds of communities to create the world’s smartest map. The company provides location data, maps, routing, real-time traffic information, and software development kits (SDKs) to a diverse range of customers, including drivers, carmakers, businesses, and developers.
This collaboration represents a significant step toward a future where driving is safer, more efficient, and more connected, powered by the combined expertise of TomTom and Microsoft.
