Bosch, Conti Buy Stakes in HERE Mapping Company

Robert Bosch GmbH and Continental AG are each taking 5% stakes in digital mapping specialist HERE Global BV. Financial terms of the deals, which are expected to be completed in the first quarter, weren’t disclosed. 

Amsterdam-based HERE was acquired from Nokia Corp. in 2015 for €2.8 billion ($3.4 billion) by Audi, BMW and Daimler. Several other companies have since invested in the company, including chipmaker Intel, which bought a 15% stake in early 2017. 

In addition to the financial stake, Conti signed a collaboration agreement with HERE. The companies, which have worked together previously, will focus on ultra-high-definition, real-time maps for automated vehicles, cloud connectivity and new mobility services.

Bosch plans to team its advanced sensor, controllers and electronics systems with HERE’s maps for use in connected and automated vehicles.

Bosch also is partnering with AutoNavi, Baidu, Increment P, NavInfo and TomTom to further improve its “road signature” technology. Other potential applications with HERE are indoor navigation maps to help maintenance personnel and streamline product flow within a manufacturing plant.