HERE Maps API

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Introduction

HERE Maps API is a set of map and location service APIs provided by HERE Technologies, a company headquartered in Germany. It is widely used in web applications, mobile apps and enterprise systems, and is mainly used to implement map display, route navigation, location search, geocoding, traffic information and other functions. With high-precision map data and real-time traffic information, it has been widely used in the automotive industry, logistics, smart city development and other fields.

File Structure

HERE Maps API supports the following data transmission formats:

GeoJSON

Used for visualization of spatial information and interaction with vector data, using JSON structure to represent the location and attributes of geographic features.

JSON (standard format)

API responses are mainly in JSON format, with a clear structure and easy for developers to handle.

XML

Some older APIs or configuration items also support XML format.

KML / GPX

Commonly used for importing and exporting path data or location information.

Image formats (PNG, JPEG, SVG)

Used for displaying static maps or rendered layers.

Pros

High-precision and detailed map data: Contains rich data such as global road networks, POIs (points of interest), building information, etc.
Real-time traffic information: It can reflect traffic conditions such as congestion, accidents, road closures, and provide real-time route planning.
Multifunctional and flexible API combination：Supports map display, route search, forward/reverse geocoding, map matching and other functions, and is applicable to a wide range of scenarios.
Support offline mode: Some SDKs support offline map functions and can be used in an off-network environment.
Highly compatible with the automotive industry: Provides high-definition maps (HD Map) for autonomous driving and navigation, which are widely adopted by car companies.

Cons

The free quota is limited: you need to pay after exceeding a certain number of requests, and the cost of commercial use is relatively high.
The documentation is relatively complex: there are many functions, and it may take time for beginners to master them.
The accuracy of Japanese regional maps is sometimes not advantageous: in some local areas of Japan, it may not be as detailed as the content provided by Japanese local map APIs (such as ZENRIN and MapFan).

Application Scenario

HERE Maps API is widely used in multiple industries. For example, in the logistics and distribution industry, it can be used for truck route optimization and real-time location tracking, combining traffic flow and congestion conditions to achieve efficient route planning; in the field of urban development, it is used to analyze and visualize road infrastructure and public transportation information. In the automotive industry, HERE provides the basic maps required for navigation systems and the high-precision maps required for ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), which are highly integrated with autonomous driving technology. In addition, in the retail industry, HERE can also be used for functions such as store search based on the user’s current location and visualization of delivery range.

Example

API Reference.

HERE Style Editor.

Web Coverage Service (WCS)

Web Feature Service(WFS)

Web Map Tile Service (WMTS)

Tile Map Service (TMS)