With every gadget today connected to satellites, where do we stand in terms of moving away from GPS (Global Positioning System) to NaVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), or the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)?
In the beginning of the year, the Government of India (GoI) mandated the move from GPS to NaVIC; at least the pre-installing of NaVIC. MapmyIndia as an app and series of gadgets supports NaVIC. In fact, we have been working with ISRO for the last five years on NaVIC satellite integration and Bhuvan, which is their satellite for earth observation.
Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about the NaVIC app that MapmyIndia has made alongside ISRO. While the used case was for fishermen, gadgets that go into our cars for tracking today are also NaVIC-enabled. The app is available on Google play store.
Has there been any setback in terms of acceptance of NaVIC technology by OEMs?
Not from automotive OEMs. In fact, Tata Motors has been working closely with us. NaVIC has become mandatory on vehicle devices in cars and trucks, and also the gadgets we sell. However, it is the handset OEMs that pushed back this year, saying they were not fully geared up to mandatorily pre-install NaVIC chipsets. The government has given extension of maximum one to two years. In the near future though, NaVIC will be in phones too.
How do you see navigation systems evolving in future Indian vehicles? Will it be multi-constellation support or just the NaVIC?
It will be multi-constellation support, which means both GPS and NaVIC will be available on vehicles. For example, during the Kargil War, GPS was switched-off but in such situations, NaVIC will continue support the users.
How are we handling cyber threats and national security concerns with technology?
Foreign overreliance in the area of GPS, NaVIC or mapping is super problematic for the country. Whether it is satellite or mapping systems, geo political issues come to the forth during events such as the Russia-Ukraine war or the Kargil War earlier. For example, in the Russia-Ukraine war, Google Maps stopped working for citizens of both countries. In India, we do not want a situation where Google Maps stops working, as we rely heavily on them.
That is why MapmyIndia’s MAPPLS is an indigenous alternative. We have worked alongside ISRO and the GoI on the full stack, from satellite for positioning, to satellite for earth observation to mapping app. All the navigation systems are fully indigenous, feature loaded, and hyper-localised. In the scenario where a foreign map or foreign satellite stops working or purposely stops working, there is an indigenous alternative.
One of the biggest concerns for vehicle drivers remains navigating on roads without real time alerts on accidents, sharp curves, landfall or potholes. We have seen recent instances wherein accidents on national highways have been due to incorrect reporting by navigation systems of what is coming ahead.
How effective is MAPPLS when it comes to real time updates on roads?
As you drive, the MAPPLS app shows you real time accident prone zones, landslide areas, sharp curves, potholes, and speed breakers ahead. The app sends alerts to the driver, even as it constantly maps areas the driver is driving on for any new alerts and sends them near real time to them.
Can you share your journey on digital mapping?
From the digital mapping point of view, MapmyIndia has been a pioneer since 1995 to create this comprehensive digital map for the entire country. It includes all the 8-10 lakh villages and rural habitations, all the 8,000-10,000 towns and urban habitations, 99% of the road network, which is about 6.6 million km, in 2D earlier and 3D now, followed by high definition and 360 degrees.
We call this as digital map twine of the real world. Survey of India (SI) has been very good in giving international boundaries and state boundaries. Moreover, the plan of SI, which is also part of the government’s geospatial policy, is to enable and facilitate the private sector and Indian entities to create advance maps. This has been great support for us.
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