Counterpoint: HERE is a trailblazer of innovation

According to Counterpoint's 2024 Location Platforms Effectiveness Index, HERE topped the rankings among 27 vendors, leading in 8 out of 10 categories.

Mohit Sharma, Counterpoint's Senior Research Analyst for Automotive, doesn’t hold back when he describes HERE as "the trailblazer of innovation," adding how the company consistently sets trends and delivers results at scale, making it a standout in a fiercely competitive market.

Smart, practical innovation

The 2024 report highlights HERE’s strength in key areas like platform capabilities, artificial intelligence (AI), business performance and partnerships. One of its biggest wins? Outstanding performance in map data, especially for the automotive industry.

A major game-changer was UniMap, a groundbreaking capability that allows users to create private maps on-demand, faster than ever.

“With UniMap, HERE has set a new standard for real-time map updates, processing massive amounts of high-quality data,” said Sharma. “This isn’t just cool tech—it’s a breakthrough for automakers.”

HERE’s leadership in mapping proves it’s not just collecting data but turning it into real solutions that drive the future of cars, including self-driving and software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

Sharper AI, better results

Where competitors rushed to adopt generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) technologies in its early stages, HERE took a measured approach. “HERE didn’t just jump on the bandwagon to follow trends. The company waited until the technology matured and introduced fully-refined capabilities at the right time,” said Sharma.

HERE’s advancements in AI-powered maps and sensor fusion also drew praise, with perfect scores awarded in this crucial area for 2024. By transforming maps into dynamic, real-time tools, HERE enabled innovations spanning electric vehicle (EV) routing, supply chain automation and beyond.

A standout achievement was the recent integration of HERE's AI Assistant into its HERE WeGo Pro app, utilizing large language models (LLMs) to to deliver natural language-powered, location-aware guidance.

Sharma noted that the feedback loop generated by user queries strengthened the AI models. “HERE’s AI innovations elevated their map capabilities, turning them into the backbone for connected vehicles,” he said.

Focus on the future

HERE’s collaboration with AWS reinforced its status as a platform built on open, privacy-rich principles. This year’s findings emphasized the importance of HERE's approachable integration model, which allows businesses to combine third-party and first-party data at scale. The Counterpoint report lauded HERE's “neutral and privacy-centric approach,” qualities that continue to resonate with developers and partners globally.

What’s next?

Reflecting on HERE’s continued market dominance, Sharma summed it up best: “Innovation and execution are in HERE’s DNA. From its unparalleled map data quality to its pioneering AI capabilities and visionary approach to SDVs, HERE is, as Sharma asserted, “the trailblazer of innovation”. Other companies may compete on trends, but HERE is shaping the future, one map at a time.