TomTom Launch New Truck Friendly Satnav

AMSTERDAM – TomTom, the satellite navigation company, have launched their new TomTom GO 7000 TRUCK, a device which is specifically designed for trucks and large vehicles. It is hoped that this new system will avoid the problems a number of truck drivers have experienced in the past from using satnav systems which have taken them inappropriate or dangerous routes.

The TomTom GO 7000 TRUCK brings the latest navigation innovations, including Map Share technology. A new Map Share functionality allows truck drivers to make corrections to their map by adding or changing access restrictions for roads based on dimension and weight.

"Map Share is imperative in our strategy to deliver the best maps for trucks," says Thomas Schmidt, managing director of TomTom WORK. "Pre-installed restrictions mostly cover major and connecting roads, but with Map Share, the driver is able to improve the map up to the very last mile."

When calculating the best route, the TomTom GO 7000 TRUCK takes the special needs of large vehicles into account. It delivers routes that favour major roads, avoid sharp turns and reflect the lower speeds that trucks typically travel. This means that truckers can avoid small town roads and narrow residential areas where possible.

In addition, the system takes access route restrictions into consideration when the driver enters dimensions and weight in the personal truck profile.

The system comes with maps of Western and Central Europe (42 countries) and is also linked into TomTom’s LIVE network which provides continuous traffic updates to users.