Navteq, Microsoft ink 3D mapping deal

Navteq and Microsoft have teamed up to form a partnership that will facilitate new capabilities and mapping data reaching customers in a more timely fashion.

Under terms of the agreement, Navteq will provide Microsoft with 3D map data and visuals to power new mapping features for use in Bing Maps. In return, Microsoft will work with Navteq to support technological advances in the collection, creation and storage of map data and visuals.

The two companies have been working together for ten years, but this new agreement will allow Navteq to advance 3D collection technologies and, when integrated into the company’s broader spectrum of products, will support a range of navigable map features at increased accuracy and scale, Navteq said.

“Navteq continues to believe that the quality of data collection, which provides the building blocks for the underlying digital map in any navigation or location-enabled device, is paramount to a superior user experience,” said Cliff Fox, executive vp, Navteq Maps. “Microsoft shares this view, and openly welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with Navteq in new ways to accelerate the development of technologies which we believe are crucial to the growing expectations of consumers using Navteq maps.”