29/10/2021

HARMAN has added what3words to its connected vehicle platform, HARMAN Ignite Store, allowing automakers to offer what3words as an in-car navigation feature

The leading connected vehicle platform enables automakers to develop, manage and operate their own in-vehicle app store. Now automakers can offer what3words as an in-car navigation feature to millions of drivers.

what3words is the easiest way to talk about location. It has divided the world into 10ft x 10ft (or 3 metre) squares and given each one a unique combination of 3 words: a what3words address. For example, ///notion.mindset.pulling points to an exact 10ft square that offers a beautiful view of Cold Mountain, Yosemite. what3words is a really simple way for people to communicate locations where street addresses often fail, such as specific building entrances, parking spots, electric vehicle charge points and unmarked roads.

what3words addresses can be entered directly into car head units or a connected drivers’ app by either text or voice, just like a regular street address or point of interest. Every what3words address is unique, helping to minimise errors and get drivers exactly where they want to go.

Albert Jordan, VP of HARMAN Ignite Store business unit at HARMAN comments: “Traditionally, it has been very challenging for third-party app developers to offer compelling automotive applications. It’s an arduous process, with different requirements for every OEM. HARMAN Ignite Store is changing that, allowing innovative app providers like what3words to focus on their content and functionality. By handling the process work on the back-end, HARMAN Ignite Store enables app providers to easily and seamlessly launch and, over time, update their applications with multiple OEMs. We’re very excited about this collaboration – both for the next-level navigation capabilities that what3words will bring to drivers, and for the insight that the what3words team has provided on how we can help app developers succeed in the automotive space.”

Chris Sheldrick, CEO and Co-founder of what3words adds, “HARMAN is highly regarded for bringing innovative in-car experiences to market. Our partnership will help to fulfil an increasing demand from automakers and mobility services looking to offer drivers a better, more seamless navigation experience. With what3words now available on the Harman Ignite cloud platform, our addressing technology can be deployed easily and effectively in millions of vehicles around the world.”

what3words’ technology has been adopted by global car companies, logistics providers and mobility apps, including Mercedes-Benz, Tata Motors, Lotus, Ford, Addison Lee, Hermes and Cabify.