Ola Maps Is Here To Rival Google Maps On Indian Roads
Ola has made a significant change by moving away from Google Maps this year. The company has decided to utilize its in-house Ola Maps service for the navigation of cabs and other services in India. Previously, Ola, like many other navigation-centric platforms, relied on Google Maps for running its features such as cabs and deliveries. Now, Ola Maps will take over these responsibilities, promising better and faster navigation for its services.
Ola Maps Takes On Google Maps – Why The Change?
CEO of Ola, Bhavish Aggarwal, has emphasized the reasons behind switching to Ola Maps. He claims that this move will result in saving Rs 100 crore annually for the company. By making this change, Ola has reduced its costs to zero, according to Aggarwal. Users can access the updated version of the Ola app to connect with the in-house Ola Maps service. The company is also planning to share a detailed blog post explaining the development of Ola Maps using open-source materials. Furthermore, Ola Maps will introduce new features such as street view, indoor images, 3D maps, and drone maps in the near future.
Google Maps – Many Challengers But One Winner?
This isn’t the first time Google Maps has faced competition in India. MapMyIndia has emerged as a strong alternative by providing localized features that cater to the needs of Indian roads and driving culture. Ola's decision to move away from Google Maps is significant, especially after its shift from Microsoft Azure for operations. While changes like these make headlines, it is crucial for Ola to continue offering in-house services in the long run to provide consumers with more options.
Most apps, including Zomato, Uber, and online shopping platforms, require location access for tracking and delivering services efficiently. Ola Maps aims to become India's homegrown rival to Google Maps for all such platforms in the country. Ola is even making its Maps API available to developers for integration into other services, enhancing navigation experiences across various platforms.
Ola replaces Google Maps with in-house 'Ola Maps', announces API.
