Counterpoint Research·2026-01-12 02:45Core Insights - The article discusses the findings of the "2026 Positioning Platform Competitiveness Assessment Report" by Counterpoint Research, highlighting HERE and TomTom as "Pacesetters" in the positioning platform competitiveness index [4][7] - The report emphasizes the transformation of positioning platforms from traditional mapping solutions to AI-driven data platforms, enhancing user experience through real-time intelligence and personalized services [4][5] Group 1: Positioning Platform Competitiveness - HERE and TomTom are recognized as "Pacesetters" in the positioning platform competitiveness index, while Google is categorized as a "Leader" [4][7] - Baidu, Gaode, and Mapbox are classified as "Challengers" due to their strong platform capabilities but limited market coverage [4][8] - ESRI is noted as an "Upstart" for its execution capabilities, although it still lags behind leading companies in certain dimensions [4] Group 2: HERE's Performance - HERE excels in both platform capability and execution, supported by a comprehensive service product portfolio and a robust partner ecosystem across various verticals like automotive and logistics [5] - The company is leading the transition towards software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and collaborates closely with automakers to guide their transformation [5] - HERE is increasing its R&D investment in product technology and innovation, particularly in AI solutions for the automotive and logistics sectors [5] Group 3: TomTom's Innovations - TomTom has made significant strides with its Orbis map in 3D visualization and traffic analysis, earning its place alongside HERE as a "Pacesetter" [5] - The company is the second global entity, after Google, to launch a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, facilitating rapid deployment of navigation systems for automakers [5] Group 4: Market Dynamics - The proliferation of location-aware AI features like "search" and "nearby" is leading to hyper-localized and highly personalized user experiences becoming mainstream [7] - Google Maps benefits from its strong core mapping capabilities and vast crowdsourced data from billions of monthly active users, solidifying its "Leader" status [8] - Baidu and Gaode are recognized as regional leaders in China, while Mapbox stands out for its developer-centric approach, offering customizable SDKs for users focused on personalization and visualization [8]