In a strategic move aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs, Ola, India’s prominent ride-hailing company, has transitioned from Google Maps to its proprietary mapping platform, Ola Maps.
This decision, announced by Bhavish Aggarwal, co-founder and Chairman of Ola Group, marks a significant step towards greater self-reliance in technology infrastructure.
Aggarwal emphasized that this shift would yield significant savings, estimating nearly Rs 100 crore per year that Ola would otherwise have spent on Google Maps services.
He emphasized the company’s commitment to leveraging internal capabilities, citing the recent migration of their entire workload from Microsoft Azure to their in-house Artificial Intelligence firm, Krutrim.
Taking to X, Aggarwal posted, “We used to spend ₹100 crore a year on Google Maps, but we’ve made that zero this month by moving completely to our in-house Ola Maps!”
After Azure exit last month, we’ve now fully exited google maps. We used to spend ₹100 cr a year but we’ve made that 0 this month by moving completely to our in house Ola maps! Check your Ola app and update if needed 😉
Also, Ola maps API available on @Krutrim cloud! Many more… pic.twitter.com/wYj1Q1YohO
— Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) July 5, 2024
He encouraged users to update their Ola apps to experience the enhanced functionalities seamlessly integrated into Ola Maps.
The transition to Ola Maps is accompanied by plans for future enhancements, including street view, NERFs, indoor images, 3D maps, drone maps, and more, aimed at providing users with a comprehensive mapping experience.
Meanwhile, Ola’s strategic initiatives in the technology sector include the acquisition of Pune-based geospatial services provider GeoSpoc in October 2021 and the development of a battery cell gigafactory in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri District, indicating a broader commitment to technological innovation and self-sufficiency.
As Ola continues to expand its portfolio and improve service offerings, Aggarwal hinted at forthcoming innovations, reaffirming Ola’s position as a leader in the Indian mobility sector with a strong focus on technological advancement and cost efficiency.
Also Read: AIM’s Community Innovator Fellows Programme Empowers Innovators In Smaller Cities
