Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading super app, has announced a strategic partnership with NATIX, a Web3 mapping pioneer, to revolutionise the way autonomous vehicle (AV) data is captured and processed. This collaboration aims to enhance mapping accuracy and efficiency by combining NATIX’s global network of drivers with Grab’s proprietary mapping technology.
NATIX, based in Hamburg, Germany, operates a decentralised network of smart cameras that collect street-level visual data for mapping and autonomous driving applications. With over 250,000 drivers in 171 countries, NATIX’s model offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional mapping methods. The partnership will utilise Grab’s expertise in mapmaking and street-level imagery processing, leveraging its hardware and AI capabilities.
Alireza Ghods, CEO and co-founder of NATIX, stated, “We believe that by combining our worldwide data collection capabilities with Grab’s hardware and AI prowess, we can gain global market share.” The collaboration will initially see the launch of the VX360 device for Tesla owners, allowing them to access and store comprehensive 360° imagery from their vehicles.
Pradeep Banavara, Head of Geo Product at Grab, highlighted the potential impact of the partnership, saying, “Together, we can accelerate the availability of fresher, more up-to-date, accurate street-level data – not just in Southeast Asia, but across the globe.”
This partnership marks a significant step in the evolution of mapping technology, with implications for governments, mobility platforms, and businesses worldwide. By providing more dynamic and frequently updated maps, the collaboration aims to empower smarter data-driven decisions and advance the development of autonomous driving technologies.
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