“We don’t see a good product coming from there”: MapMyIndia CEO calls out Ola

The battle lines are clearly drawn between MapMyIndia and Ola. As the CEO of the homegrown navigation powerhouse MapMyIndia, Rohan Verma has emerged as a vocal critic of Ola’s claims about its self-developed “Ola Maps” offering. In a scathing interview, Verma has questioned the legitimacy and quality of Ola’s navigational capabilities, labelling them as nothing more than a “gimmick.”

As the leading provider of digital maps and navigation services in India, MapMyIndia has long been the go-to choice for businesses and consumers alike. The company has established itself as the industry standard. So, when Ola, the ride-hailing giant, announced the development of its own navigational map of India, it raised eyebrows across the industry.

Ola’s acquisition of Geospoc: A questionable claim

Ola’s claim that its “Ola Maps” offering is powered by a startup called Geospoc, which it has recently acquired, has been met with skepticism from Verma. He questions the credibility and track record of Geospoc, arguing that building a comprehensive digital map of a vast country like India requires significant investments, time, and expertise – something he doubts Geospoc possesses.

Adding fuel to the fire, Verma revealed that Ola Electric had previously signed a licensing agreement with MapMyIndia to use the company’s APIs and SDKs for navigation. This raises questions about the origins of Ola Maps and whether it is truly a homegrown product or simply a repackaging of MapMyIndia’s technology.

The quality conundrum

Verma’s primary criticism of Ola Maps is its perceived lack of quality and accuracy. He cites numerous user complaints about the poor performance of Ola’s updated cab and electric vehicle apps, which he claims are directly linked to the subpar navigation experience. Verma asserts that “people are complaining left, right and centre” about Ola Maps, further undermining the company’s claims of developing a superior navigational solution.

The OpenStreetMap debacle

Ola’s claim that it has leveraged the OpenStreetMap platform to develop Ola Maps has also been met with skepticism from Verma. He argues that the accuracy and reliability of OpenStreetMap are far from ideal, warning users to be “very careful of these gimmicky, fly-by-night products.” His emphasis on the importance of quality, accuracy, and a proven track record in the mapping industry underscores the need for users to approach new navigational offerings with a critical eye.

MapMyIndia’s legal action

In response to Ola’s actions, MapMyIndia has taken legal action, sending a notice to Ola Electric for breach of the terms and conditions of the licensing agreement. This move underscores the seriousness with which MapMyIndia views the situation and its determination to protect its intellectual property and market dominance.

MapMyIndia eyes international horizons

Recognizing the need to diversify its operations, MapMyIndia is now set to foray into international markets, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia. This strategic move aligns with the company’s vision to become a global player in the digital navigation space, leveraging its expertise and technological prowess to capture new opportunities beyond the Indian market.

The battle for navigational supremacy

The clash between MapMyIndia and Ola represents a larger battle for navigational supremacy in India. As the two companies vie for dominance, the stakes are high, and the outcome will undoubtedly shape the future of the digital mapping and navigation industry in the country.

The last word

In a world where digital navigation has become an essential part of our daily lives, the battle between MapMyIndia and Ola highlights the importance of reliable and trustworthy mapping solutions. As the industry continues to evolve, the ability to provide accurate, user-friendly, and technologically advanced navigation services will be a key differentiator for companies vying for dominance, and in some cases, a strategic advantage.