Google Maps partners with local authorities aiming to bring more helpful and delightful features to itself. The focus of Google is to build helpful maps that offer a more visual and accurate navigation and exploration experience.
In partnership with Genasys International and Tech Mahindra, Street View is not only being launched but is being brought to life. This specially helps in road safety, and the organization is looking to partner with local traffic authorities to obtain information such as speed limit, road closures and disruptions. This would better optimize traffic lights.
The Street View, covering over 150,000 km across ten cities in India, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Nashik, Vadodara, Ahmednagar, and Amritsar will be available. This is said to expand to more than 50 cities by the end of 2022.
Speaking of the announcements, Miriam Karthika Daniel, VP – Google Maps Experiences, said “We believe the launch of Street View in India will be instrumental in delivering a more helpful user experience, from virtually visiting locations to getting a better sense of local businesses and establishments. We remain committed to collaborating with local organizations and the government as we work toward delivering even more useful features and information on Maps. We will continue to do this responsibly, enabling accurate, authentic, and trustworthy information. We look forward to extending our technology and expertise to the local ecosystem.”
Birendra Sen, Business Head, Business Process Services, Tech Mahindra, said, “Technology is not just the backbone of the global economy, but is also a strategic tool which can turn insights into solutions, uncover trends and predictions, and transform businesses in a sustainable manner. Today, there is an increasing need for technologies that turn insights from GIS (Geographic Information Systems) into ready products that can be utilized by customers. The GIS industry has only grown manifold with time, owing to increased data availability and the development of smart cities all over the world. In line with this, our partnership with Google is another step toward delivering high-quality and immersive mapping experiences to the people of India.”
Sajid Malik, Managing Director of Genesys International Corporation Limited, said, “We were the first Indian firm to perform street imaging of all major cities in India. Our fleet is still swiftly photographing Indian cities, bringing to life our city’s amazing tapestry of streets and landmarks and allowing us to comfortably visit our old neighbourhoods or plan our trips. Google Maps has always been at the forefront of geospatial technology, and we are honoured to be an enabler of their efforts by offering the best technology to India and its people. We are delighted to be a part of the Google Street View programme, and we feel that our partnership will go a long way towards offering the most helpful and engaging mapping experience for people and customers across India.”
To launch Street View: simply open Google Maps, zoom into a road in any of these target cities, and tap the area you want to view.