Features:

TomTom, the world's largest portable navigation solutions provider, has announced ground-breaking features and unique content on its new TomTom GO 730, including its exclusive IQ Routes technology and Advanced Lane Guidance.

TomTom IQ Routes

The new TomTom IQ Routes technology is based on actual average speeds on roads, rather than the sign-posted speed limits. This intelligent routing technology is based on anonymous historical speed profiles of over 6.2 billion miles of driven roads, gathered over the years by millions of TomTom users. It takes into account all the factors that may influence the time it takes drivers to get to their destination, including traffic lights, rotaries, steep slopes and speed bumps.

The TomTom IQ Routes speed profile database continues to grow at the rate of more than half a billion measurements per day, so the time and spatial accuracy of TomTom IQ Routes technology will increase continually. Drivers can be confident that they will always be given the smartest route incorporating detailed local knowledge. This allows for more efficient daily route planning, in particular when driving through urban or hilly areas.

Advanced Lane Guidance

With the new Advanced Lane Guidance feature, navigating difficult junctions becomes easier than ever before. This realistic representation of highway junctions on the screen, including clear arrows indicating the lane direction, provide drivers with timely instructions to take the correct lane. Static images of road signs, in the same color as the ones displayed on the road, ensure drivers have an even better overview of their surroundings.

Navigate with Ease

The new TomTom GO range has a new premium look with a high-quality finish, expanded map coverage and comes pre-installed with the latest navigation features, including:

• TomTom Map Share enabling users to make updates and corrections to their own maps instantly and to benefit from improvements made by other users, completely free of charge. New Map Share features include the ability to change turn restrictions and posted road speeds
• Large 4.3 inch touch screen with new generation icons and an updated user interface to navigate drivers to their destination even more easily
• Voice address input drive to millions of cities and street names by simply announcing the address of your destination
• Clear voice instructions and text-to-speech to enable street names, places, traffic alerts and SMS messages to be read aloud as part of the spoken instructions
• Enhanced hands-free calling with high quality sound system via Bluetooth to allow drivers to keep their eyes firmly on the road whilst making phone calls in the car
• Extensive safety features including 'Help Me' menu to give drivers direct access to emergency services and roadside assistance
• Built-in FM Transmitter to play music and navigation instructions seamlessly through the car stereo speakers
• New smart & fun extras to personalise users' devices, including recording your own driving instructions, viewing documents, exchanging positions via SMS and Bluetooth wireless technology and selecting a favourite car icon on the screen
• Free TomTom HOME software and content from the TomTom community to keep your TomTom device up to date at all times
• Pre-installed safety camera database providing users with timely information on safety cameras on drivers' routes
• Full range of accessories to match the design and finish of the updated GO range

IQ Routes In-Depth Explanation

TomTom IQ Routes puts the driving experience of millions of TomTom users into your maps, calculating your route based on actual speeds driven on roads compared to speed limits. With TomTom IQ Routes you always get the smartest, most efficient route. Saving you time, fuel and money.

We all know traffic is different during a Monday morning rush hour from a lazy Sunday afternoon. We all want the best shortcuts to bring us to our destination in the fastest way possible. But heavy traffic, speed bumps, traffic lights, roundabouts and even schoolchildren or shopping crowds can slow you down. That handy shortcut you're looking for varies depending on time and day. Which means your shortest route isn't necessarily going to be the fastest all the time!

Let's take an example:

The standard shortest route from London Commercial Road, to Gloucester Terrace at a relatively quiet time, and without any hold-ups, should take you 20 minutes (screen 1).

However, that same shortest route will typically take you 29 minutes during a busier period (reality) (screen 2).

Using local knowledge' gained from the actual travel experiences of thousands of TomTom users on these very roads, IQ Routes instantly works out your optimal route from London Commercial Road, to Gloucester Terrace. It also calculates your realistic journey time, based on real speeds people are able to drive, not just speed limits. (screen 3)

As you can see, in this case your route is now 0.7 kilometre longer, but will save you 3 minutes (and a good deal of stress!). Now that's a shortcut!

A real difference

3 Minutes may not sound much, but it's over 10% off your journey time. Just consider for a moment how much time that will save you over a whole year Exactly!

And it's not just urban driving. Whether its roundabouts, crossroads, schoolchildren or just good old-fashioned congestion. Anywhere the traffic flow can vary, IQ Routes can make a real difference.

How it works

Millions of TomTom users worldwide voluntarily provide us with anonymous historical speed-data from each of their journeys every time they connect their device to TomTom HOME.

As a result, TomTom now has a huge database, containing billions of miles of real customer driving experience, collected over the years from more than 7 million TomTom users.

Using this data, TomTom's unique IQ Routes technology calculates your optimal route. This route is based on actual speed data driven on roads, not just maximum speed limits, taking into account any hold-ups that might slow you down (busy junctions, zebra crossings and even shopping crowds).

This data enhances the quality of TomTom navigation across the board, but is particularly helpful in improving the quality of detailed routing we give you for the specific time of day and day of the week of your chosen trip.

Drive like local

So even if you drive through unfamiliar areas, you still can drive like a local by knowing the short cuts that are based on the collective driving experience of millions of TomTom users.

Did you know?

IQ Routes technology gives you a faster route in over 50% of all your journeys.

And don't forget: IQ Routes is just one of many groundbreaking TomTom technologies that make your journey quicker, easier, safer, more predictable and less stressful.

Advanced Lane Guidance In-Depth Explanation

TomTom's Advanced lane guidance gives you extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions. So you won't miss your turn or have to make sudden, dangerous lane crossings.

When you approach complex motorway intersections, you also get a still 3D image on your screen that clearly indicates the lane(s) you need to take. Advanced lane guidance keeps you relaxed and safe through even the most complex intersections and in even the heaviest traffic.

Let's take an example:

You're on the outskirts of Paris, driving on the "Autoroute du Soleil" towards Lille, when a complex junction approaches (see diagram).

Screen 1

You have your normal 3D navigation view up to 800 metres from the junction.

Screen 2

From 800 meters until you're through the junction, your TomTom device displays a clear image of the junction. This shows the relevant road signs with numbers and directions, and a blinking arrow that clearly shows which lane you must take. Your screen throughout this has the still image and your status bar remains updated with dynamic information.

Screen 3

As soon as you're through the junction, your screen reverts to the normal view. What could be simpler, what could be safer?