Ola Maps: The Future of Navigation or a Risky Bet?
Imagine trying to navigate a maze with a map drawn by someone still learning the ropes. That’s how many feel about Ola Maps compared to the seasoned explorer’s guide, Google Maps. Bhavish Aggarwal’s ambitious attempt to create an Indian alternative is stirring debates. Can this new venture really challenge the giants? Dive into the tale of Ola Maps and discover the surprising twists and turns that could redefine navigation in India.
Imagine you’re navigating through a dense forest, using a map. Now, would you trust a map from a seasoned explorer who’s mapped every nook and cranny for twenty years or one hastily drawn by someone just getting their bearings? This analogy mirrors the competition between Google Maps and the newly launched Ola Maps. But why does Ola Maps exist in a world already dominated by such a robust and reliable service?
Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal’s recent announcement about Ola Maps — a so-called “true alternative to global mapping giants” — raises eyebrows. Capitalism dictates that for any credible alternative to survive, it must fulfill at least two out of three conditions: be a superior product, offer a cost-effective solution, or at the very least, deliver on its promises. Early indications suggest Ola Maps might struggle with all three.
Consider this: A Mumbai-based Ola Cabs user reported that Ola Maps was so inaccurate that the auto driver had to switch back to Google Maps. This scenario is emblematic of the challenges Ola Maps faces. Aggarwal’s attempt to outdo Google Maps is part of a broader trend of promoting “Indian alternatives” to Western technologies. His previous moves included replacing Microsoft Azure with Ola’s in-house AI venture, Krutrim. However, the same ambition now challenges Ola Maps.
Ola Maps isn’t India’s first native mapping technology. MapmyIndia already offers similar solutions. So, what makes Ola Maps different? Aggarwal claims it can save the company 100 crore rupees annually, which was previously spent on Google Maps. While this might seem prudent financially, matching the quality and reliability of Google Maps, which has been the leader in this space for nearly twenty years, is daunting. Even Apple Maps, launched in two thousand twelve, couldn’t surpass Google Maps. So, why does Ola Maps face similar hurdles?
The primary challenge for any mapping software is data collection, where Ola is already lagging. Google’s data comes from various sources: phones, maps, volunteering, satellites, and more. In contrast, Ola plans to use OpenStreetMap (OSM), government data, and proprietary sources to build essential map features. OSM is maintained by volunteers, and Ola’s proprietary data will come from sensor fusion from vehicles, signals from its fleet, and community feedback. This approach presents several challenges.
Google Maps’ data is a blend of high-resolution satellite imagery, GPS signals, and geographic information systems, bolstered by a massive user community contributing real-time updates and feedback. In contrast, Ola’s data might contain biases due to its smaller, less-tested source pool. As one AI developer noted, Google has spent years refining its maps through reviews and community contributions. Ola will need significant time to gather sufficient data and perfect its maps.
Another critical issue is geographic coverage. Ola’s reliance on its data and OSM means it may struggle in new areas where its vehicles haven’t ventured. Without comprehensive data, accuracy suffers, potentially leading to misguided navigation — imagine your map directing you through a field because it didn’t recognize the road ended!
Despite these hurdles, Ola is undeterred, claiming its maps will better address Indian road conditions than Western apps. This includes details like incomplete mapping coverage, inconsistent street names, potholes, and road quality issues. Ola also promises detailed information on land use, water bodies, and transportation networks, enhanced with advanced routing services for accurate distance calculations and estimated arrival times.
One potential advantage for Ola Maps is the ease of reporting road issues like potholes. If Ola can engage users to provide real-time updates, as Google Maps does, it could improve accuracy. However, critics argue that Ola is merely reinventing the wheel. Google Maps, perfected over decades, is deeply ingrained in user habits. One user shared on Twitter how Ola Maps led their cab four kilometers off the actual pick-up point. Such errors highlight the current reliability gap between Ola Maps and its competitors.
Presently, Ola Maps is only available to Ola entities — Ola Electric scooters and Ola Cabs — as well as external developers. This limited user base contrasts sharply with Google Maps’ vast user community. For Ola Maps to improve, it needs more users and feedback. Offering incentives to lure Google Maps users could help but might also divert focus from Ola’s core ride-hailing business, already facing stiff competition.
An interesting point to consider is the potential impact on Ola’s overall user trust. If Ola Maps provides inaccurate data, it could affect estimated times of arrival, ride costs, and overall navigation reliability, potentially driving users away from the platform. Ensuring rigorous testing and gradual rollouts is crucial to mitigate these risks.
Ola Maps embodies Aggarwal’s vision of creating homegrown alternatives to Western tech giants. While the ambition is commendable, the execution faces significant hurdles. With more user data and continuous improvement, Ola Maps might eventually close the gap with Google Maps. But for now, it’s a work in progress with a long road ahead.
As we ponder the future of Ola Maps, one question remains: Can Aggarwal’s vision of an Indian mapping solution truly rival the global giants, or will it become another ambitious project struggling to find its place?
References
Navigating India — The Journey of Ola Maps. (2024, July 8). Ola Tech Blog.
Use Ola Maps: Bhavish Aggarwal urges developers to exit Google maps. (2024, July 8). The Economic Times.
Why does Ola Maps exist? (July 14, 2024). The Morning Context.
************
A bangla audio version of this article will be available on Financial Rupkotha on 07-Aug-2024 where Finance related stories are told in Bangla. The podcast channel has many such articles narrated in bangla and is available in Spotify, Amazon Prime Music, and youtube. Like, share, and subscribe the podcast channel.
