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HERE, Automakers Team Up To Share Data On Traffic Conditions (reuters.com)

German digital map maker HERE will introduce a new set of traffic services this week that allows drivers to see for themselves what live road conditions are like miles ahead using data from competing automakers, an industry first, reports Reuters. From the report: The Berlin-based company, owned by Germany's three premium automakers, will provide four services in which drivers share detailed video views of traffic jams or accidents, potential road hazards like fog or slippery streets, traffic signs including temporary speed limits and on-street parking. BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen will all contribute data to the service, making their first big collaboration since they bought HERE for 2.8 billion euros ($3.1 billion) late last year from mobile equipment maker Nokia of Finland. Other automakers are expected to join the project later and contribute data from their vehicles, HERE said. The new live traffic services are set to hit the road in the first half of 2017, HERE said on Monday before the opening of this week's Paris Motor Show.

52 comments

  1. And after 1 year you will need to buy new car to by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    And after 1 year you will need to buy new car to keep getting software updates.

  2. There is Waze by apetrelli · · Score: 1

    'Nuff said.

    1. Re:There is Waze by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There is Google Maps which uses data from all Android users and which tells me which is the fastest way to get to work.

    2. Re:There is Waze by Yeggous · · Score: 3, Informative

      We're talking about a service that will be orders of magnitude larger than Waze. In order for Waze to get data the driver has to actively open the app. This will be constantly drawing data from millions of vehicles all the time without needing the driver to do anything.

    3. Re:There is Waze by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Waze is a Google product, Maps and Waze share the traffice data.

    4. Re:There is Waze by Ranbot · · Score: 1

      We're talking about a service that will be orders of magnitude larger than Waze. In order for Waze to get data the driver has to actively open the app.

      I'm finding it hard to believe that 3 German car manufacturers with a relatively small share of the total car market will have "orders of magnitude" more traffic data that what Google is currently processing. Waze/Google Maps (same company) pull data from all Android and iPhones with open Google Maps/Waze and all Android phones with location services on, which send location data to Google, regardless of whether a mapping app is being used. Google also has has years worth of historical traffic data they can use to predict traffic patterns. (Source: http://www.techinsider.io/how-... ).

      Prediction: They will cobble together a mediocre system that won't perform any better than Google Maps/Waze, but will be flashy enough convince their older, wealthy, non-tech-savvy buyers (mostly BMW owners) that their over-priced, luxury, info-tainment package was worth the upgrade and monthly subscription.

    5. Re:There is Waze by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      3 German car manufacturers with a relatively small share of the total car market

      VW, Daimler and BMW together have almost 40% market share.

  3. Tesla map already shows congestion by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 2

    The map display in a Tesla already shows traffic congestion. I have heard that they get the data from aggregate cell phone data. The cell towers can tell when the cellphones bunch up and stop moving.

    1. Re:Tesla map already shows congestion by Carewolf · · Score: 1

      The map display in a Tesla already shows traffic congestion. I have heard that they get the data from aggregate cell phone data. The cell towers can tell when the cellphones bunch up and stop moving.

      They get it the same place everybody else gets it, by being it from third parties, probably HERE or similar companies depending on where they bought their GPS software.

  4. Re:And after 1 year you will need to buy new car t by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 2

    HERE Maps is an iOS and Android app.

    --
    #DeleteChrome
  5. Privacy Concerns. by jellomizer · · Score: 1

    While I would love to get live traffic info... I would have concerns about privacy with my Car broadcasting where I am at any moment.

    Just because it is an European company it doesn't mean that the government will not want to get its hold on that data.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    1. Re:Privacy Concerns. by Yeggous · · Score: 1

      While I would love to get live traffic info... I would have concerns about privacy with my Car broadcasting where I am at any moment.

      Just because it is an European company it doesn't mean that the government will not want to get its hold on that data.

      As opposed to your smartphone which already tracks you everyone? The American companies (Google, Apple) are just much less up front about tracking your every move.

    2. Re:Privacy Concerns. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't carry (or own) a smartphone. Sorry about your luck, bud.

    3. Re:Privacy Concerns. by jellomizer · · Score: 1

      The difference is that they know you are in a vehicle and which vehicle. To get that data from your phone, there will be a lot more statistical correlation on the data. So if your phone is going 100mph in a 45mph zone. How do they know it is you, or your just left your phone in a car that went at that speed.

      If it is a car that is registered to you, you hold responsibility for infractions of that car.

      Also being that we know it is automobile data. if we want to catch speeders it is a much smaller data sets with less big computation.

      Select Distinct C.Name, C.Address, Cast(D.DatapointDT as date) InfractionDate from Customer C left join DrivingData D on C.CustomerID = D.CustomerID where D.SpeedSegment >= 75

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    4. Re:Privacy Concerns. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But officer, my car was just stolen!

  6. Re:And after 1 year you will need to buy new car t by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The topic here is German cars, not Android.

    Please stay on topic.

  7. Re:And after 1 year you will need to buy new car t by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's only compatible with the iPhone 7 and Android 7, you'll have to buy a new car to get updates in a year. If such things are difficult for you to parse, the person you responded to, as well as this response, are humorous commentary on the state of forced phone upgrades through lack of software patching.

  8. Re:And after 1 year you will need to buy new car t by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    My 4S works just fine in my 2017 BMW, with an adapter.

  9. Re:And after 1 year you will need to buy new car t by fph+il+quozientatore · · Score: 1

    You wouldn't download a car!

    --
    My first program:

    Hell Segmentation fault

  10. Overthinking by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

    I'm starting to think they are way over thinking this traffic thing. Usually sticking my head outside my front door will tell me all I need to know about getting to work for that day.

    --
    Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    1. Re:Overthinking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Spoken like someone who doesn't have to commute very far, or doesn't commute on roads that involve many other people.

    2. Re:Overthinking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, good real time traffic data can help significantly reduce your travel time by helping you avoid what you don't see miles ahead. It helps route you the next best way. Waze is a great example of the possibilities.

      By giving drivers more information, we can reduce the impact of accidents and other things on traffic. Traffic flow data should have nationally sponsored collection and availability, because it benefits everyone who travels on the roads the more it is used. It also reduces energy consumption.

    3. Re:Overthinking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If I stick my head out my front door I see trees and a garden. No cars. What am I do?

    4. Re: Overthinking by fluffernutter · · Score: 1

      I guess nothing changes in the place I live. There are back ups but they are predictable because they always happen in the same place. So you learn easily what route to take based on weather and time of day.

      --
      Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
  11. Re:And after 1 year you will need to buy new car t by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Trust me, automakers plan to sell the same hardware for 10+ years.
    Most likely they will also enter the market with 3 year old hardware.

  12. Re:And after 1 year you will need to buy new car t by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You wouldn't download a car!

    You could download and 3D print it, just choose a file without a gun in the trunk.

  13. Automakers Are A Conundrum by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Automakers seem to be so incredibly adept at understanding what consumers want and manipulating consumers into wanting what the automakers offer.

    But, automakers seem utterly clueless in realizing what technology consumers want. Why the fuck would you spend $3Billion for an unheard of mapping company that will show videos of congestion, when Google and Apple already provide accurate congestion reporting on any and every smartphone? It's an investment so utterly redundant that it is asinine.

    I suppose it's not much different than Apple and Google trying to develop cars, something that they both seem eager to throw billions at. Like the car manufacturers that don't understand consumer technology desires, these tech companies don't understand consumer's automotive desires.

    I wonder how it would work out if car companies only built cars and phone companies only built phones?

  14. Even on lesser known OSes by DrYak · · Score: 1

    It's even present on lesser known OSes.
    - It's the default maps on commercial ports of Sailfish OS
    - It used to be available on Palm/HP webOS back when those existed. (But I didn't test it much. The unofficial GoogleMaps was better than Here, and the default official Google maps)

    --
    "Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
  15. Re:And after 1 year you will need to buy new car t by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I can use Here on my phone, in my 2004 Japanese car or on my 2003 Japanese motorcycle. I don't care I'm unable to contribute and when I start to get limited access to Here due to the fact I'm a non contributer, I'll go back to Google Maps or something else that just gives me an offline map and traffic info instead.Nothing of value was lost to me.

    Now on the other hand you are stupid enough to buy a car that has/needs a constant online connection, suck to be you.

  16. Data aggregation method by DrYak · · Score: 1

    The map display in a Tesla already shows traffic congestion.

    And you could probably find even older GPS units/applications that predate Tesla and still show traffic congestion.
    (e.g.: old Tomtom do show traffic).
    Even before the age of on-line connected cars, in Europe there were traffic information over the RDS data channel on FM stations
    (and probably the same on the US equivalent ?)

    The novelty isn't the traffic information, it's the way data is aggregated.

    I have heard that they get the data from aggregate cell phone data. The cell towers can tell when the cellphones bunch up and stop moving.

    The news here is that HERE-Maps managed to get competing automakers to work together to share their data on congestion (as determined by the connected cars themselves).
    (Which could be combined with the coarser info from cell tower to get even more informations).

    --
    "Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
  17. It's got to be better than Maps by HangingChad · · Score: 1
    Driving back from Miami using Google Maps, it would show us where traffic was slow...once we got there. But show us congestion in time to choose an alternate route, no way!

    My wife was mocking the app. "Traffic is slowing down now," she prompted. Thanks, hon, I never would have noticed traffic conditions out the window.

    --
    That's our life, the big wheel of shit. - The Fat Man, Blue Tango Salvage
    1. Re:It's got to be better than Maps by adolf · · Score: 1

      Use Waze if you want to get someplace on a route that is both statistically faster, while also going around unusual traffic conditions where possible.

      (It's not always possible.)

    2. Re:It's got to be better than Maps by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      I actually find Maps to be quite the opposite. It all depends on how the traffic builds up. In areas where the traffic is gradual and consistent maps not only gives very good and accurate traffic predictions but also predicts it out based on the time of your arrival, i.e. proposes a path now that may seem slower but actually be faster by the time you get there. Maps also allows you to predict the traffic on the website so if you ever need to go to the airport at peakhour without ever having been there before you can check it for instance the night before.

      Now where Google maps fails miserably is any traffic congestion that suddenly appears out of nowhere. Two cases are traffic accidents and really big businesses with sudden closing hours and a choked road from which all the traffic leaves. That is really more miss than hit, but the it seems quite on par with Waze and even the local city run service I use.

      That said the alternate route option is only ever shown when you have time to take it, unless your local maps database is screwed up (e.g. Ring highway systems where Google maps doesn't seem to have a clue).

    3. Re:It's got to be better than Maps by bad-badtz-maru · · Score: 1

      Were you actually using the navigation feature? It will show congestion in minutes in South Florida. It's amazing how quickly the data is updated from even minor congestion, usually within a few minutes. Perhaps you were expecting it to re-route but the current route was still the fastest.

  18. Germany by DrYak · · Score: 1

    As mentionned :
    BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen are German automakers. Their bound by German laws.
    And people in Germany tend to be very picky about their privacy.

    The car will probably have to ask you if you agree to share you data.
    With options to opt-in or opt-out.

    (Though maybe the US-export model will get tempered with and will simply opt out of receiving the aggregated traffic information, but still constantly beam your position. To the NSA. And also transmit everything it can hear around).

    --
    "Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
  19. German Autobahn!!! by DrYak · · Score: 1

    So if your phone is going 100mph in a 45mph zone {...} if we want to catch speeders it is a much smaller data sets with less big computation.

    Hallo ! Vee are the German Automakers von BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen.
    Vee are tasked mit designing dis car data aggregator.

    Vat is dis "Speed limit" dat you're speaking of ?
    Vee have never heard about it....

    (Alzo, vat are dis "mph" units ? Do you have nicht metric Zystem ?)

    ~~~

    --
    "Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
  20. Joke? by DrYak · · Score: 1

    I think what the poster meant is that he's working on the other side of the same street.
    (Or working from home), and litteraly doesn't need a complex system to tell him what are the conditions on the sole cross-read he needs to cross.

    ---

    Alternatively, he's Scandinavian, and the traffic problems he has to face are more weather-related (read: heavy snow-falls) other than other-people related (his closest neighbour, Olaf Guntersson, lives half an hour away).

    --
    "Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
  21. Traffic signs = active cameras by beschra · · Score: 1

    The Berlin-based company, owned by Germany's three premium automakers, will provide four services in which drivers share detailed video views of traffic jams or accidents, potential road hazards like fog or slippery streets, traffic signs including temporary speed limits and on-street parking.

    Wasn't Germany one of the countries that had a hard time with google street view? Are they going to accept millions of cameras driving around sharing everything they see?

    --
    It is unwise to ascribe motive
    1. Re:Traffic signs = active cameras by Agripa · · Score: 1

      Wasn't Germany one of the countries that had a hard time with google street view? Are they going to accept millions of cameras driving around sharing everything they see?

      It is not fascism when they do it.

  22. Better headline: by thegarbz · · Score: 1

    HERE, Automakers team up to provide us something we've had for 10 years already from several other sources.

    Thanks Automakers, good to see you're on the cutting edge of technology yet again!

    1. Re:Better headline: by bad-badtz-maru · · Score: 1

      That makes sense then, they're going to keep the featureset in the same era as the HERE map cartography.

    2. Re:Better headline: by Carewolf · · Score: 1

      HERE, Automakers team up to provide us something we've had for 10 years already from several other sources.

      Thanks Automakers, good to see you're on the cutting edge of technology yet again!

      You have had it for over 10 years from HERE (formaly also known as Navteq). This is not new to them, they are one of the primary providers of this service, this is just a new addtion to the service.

  23. Porn in your car by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "video views" How long before porn is accidently or intentionaly broadcast to the wrong person?
    My car was in my closed garage and we were consenting adults in the garage when the car broadcast video of our collision to other vehicles nearby.

  24. Painful by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Here.com is beautiful and every time I look at Bing Maps, I just ask myself "What the *fuck* is going on over there?" It's just fucking embarrassing. Microsoft oughta have this contract. But they don't, because they just let their product languish and be a piece of shit.

    1. Re:Painful by bad-badtz-maru · · Score: 2

      Microsoft can't have the contract because they don't own their own map data, they use Navionics, which you may better know as HERE.

  25. Re:And after 1 year you will need to buy new car t by Carewolf · · Score: 1

    HERE is what used to be Navteq before they got bought by Nokia, and then later sold to THERE (owned by the three german automakers). If you a car with built-in GPS it is probably already using that technology.

  26. Instead of re-inventing the wheel... by Ranbot · · Score: 1

    ...car manufacturers should just make their info-tainment/navigation systems 100% compatible with iPhone and Android. There are no proprietary in-car mapping systems or digital user interfaces better than what people have on their phones, which already connects to new cars via bluetooth or cable/dock. Car companies need to hand the the navigation and digital interface to the tech-world, so they can concentrate on what's under the hood.

  27. Re:And after 1 year you will need to buy new car t by RDW · · Score: 1

    The earlier Nokia version of HERE for Android was very good for offline use - whole countries or large regions like US states were downloadable in one go as usefully searchable maps with SatNav routing, all for free. Google's limited offline capabilities looked pretty feeble in comparison. Now that the car companies have got hold of it and renamed it HERE WeGo, they've changed the interface to make it much more more oriented to providing turn-by-turn directions rather than map exploration, and long-term users are finding it slower and buggier, with a flakier offline mode: https://play.google.com/store/...

  28. Re: And after 1 year you will need to buy new car by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So you're saying, it used to be HERE, then it was THERE but now it's Everywhere?

  29. Re:And after 1 year you will need to buy new car t by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's 2016. You do not have a 2016 BMW.

  30. Re:And after 1 year you will need to buy new car t by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Correction: You do not have a 2017 BMW.

  31. Re:And after 1 year you will need to buy new car t by Agripa · · Score: 1

    And the manufacturers will start sending false data to competitors.