July 8, 2024, Bangalore: Ola Cabs, India’s leading ride-hailing company, has taken a significant strategic leap by transitioning from Google Maps to its own proprietary mapping solution—Ola Maps. CEO Bhavish Aggarwal announced this move on July 7, 2024, emphasizing that it will save the company ₹100 crore annually. This decision reflects Ola’s commitment to self-reliance and operational efficiency.
Key Points:
- Cost Savings and Self-Reliance:
- Ola’s shift from Google Maps to Ola Maps is expected to save the company a substantial ₹100 crore each year. By reducing reliance on third-party technology providers, Ola aims for greater vertical integration and financial independence1.
- Previously, Ola spent approximately ₹100 crore annually on Google Maps. However, with the in-house Ola Maps, this cost has been reduced to zero, marking a significant achievement for the company.
- Features of Ola Maps:
- Ola Maps will not only serve as the navigation backbone for Ola’s ride-hailing platform but also offer additional features:
- Street View: Users can explore streets and neighborhoods visually.
- Neural Radiance Fields (NERFs): Advanced rendering techniques for realistic 3D maps.
- Indoor Images: Detailed indoor maps for malls, airports, and other large spaces.
- 3D Maps: Enhanced depth and perspective for better navigation.
- Drone Maps: Aerial views for improved route planning.
- These features will enhance the overall user experience and provide Ola’s drivers and passengers with more accurate and detailed information.
- Ola Maps will not only serve as the navigation backbone for Ola’s ride-hailing platform but also offer additional features:
- Technical Details:
- Ola Maps is built on top of OpenStreetMap, an open-source and free-to-use map with an open license. Ola has combined this community-driven data with proprietary information from its own services.
- While Google Maps is free for individual users, businesses like Ola, which integrate the Application Programming Interface (API) into their solutions, incur costs. By developing Ola Maps in-house, the company eliminates these recurring expenses.
- Although there will be deployment costs for hardware and software infrastructure, the long-term savings justify this investment.
- API for Developers:
- Ola Maps API will be available for both Android and iOS developers. Other app creators can incorporate Ola Maps into their services, paying a fee via Krutrim Cloud.
- This move encourages innovation and allows developers to leverage Ola’s mapping capabilities within their own applications.
In summary, Ola’s adoption of Ola Maps represents a strategic shift toward self-sufficiency, cost-effectiveness, and technological independence. As the company continues to evolve, its commitment to building robust in-house solutions ensures a brighter and more efficient future for Ola and its users
