Europe's Komoot outdoors app has made its debut in North America to serve as a guide for adventurers traveling in the wilderness.
Markus Hallerman, founder of the Berlin-based company, said outdoorsmen in the U.S. can now use the app to find bike paths and trails for just about every location in the country, according to TechCrunch. The app is currently available on iOS and Android devices.
Komoot started in 2010 with the launch of its first app for the iPhone in Germany. The company would spend the past year updating its app with open-source mapping technology and combining data from users with its maps.
"With our solutions you get recommendations wherever you are," Hallerman said.
The North American launch of the app follows Komoot's rise to the top of Europe's outdoor inspiration apps, Digital Journal reported.
The mapping technology allows users to easily plan their trips and navigate through them. Images of outdoor routes and trails are also provided for users to swipe through and pick for their journeys. Other features include turn-by-turn voice navigation, highlights of locations, and compatibility with smartwatches.
Hallerman added that most app users have low opinions with mapping technologies, and that Komoot serves to change those opinions, Digital Journal reported.
"As an outdoor enthusiast, one of the most common things I hear is that mapping technologies and inspiration within apps are subpar," he said. "With Komoot, we are changing the way users are inspired and navigated through their outdoor experiences."
Unlike fitness tracking and editorial hiking apps, Komoot provides its users with both mapping and editorial recommendations to show the best hikes for both veteran and inexperienced outdoorsmen, TechCrunch reported. The packages are sold in a freemium model, in which customers get the first map and itinerary for free but have to pay for packages after that.
Komoot has raises $1.6 million for the app so far, with investors including KRW Schindler Private Ventures and German regional funds.
"We own a huge stack of technology [and] with wearables and with the Apple watch we have a huge opportunity to disrupt an industry," Hallerman said. "According to an outdoor study, there are $500 billion spent on travel tips with outdoor activities."
