Ola has given up on using Google Maps to navigate taxis and other services nationwide, and it will now utilize its own internal Ola Maps service. Ola, like with several other navigation-focused sites, depends on Google Maps to function its various functions, including delivery and taxi services. The firm has decided to hand over those responsibilities to Ola Maps, which it claims would provide faster and better navigation for its taxis and other services.

In order to allow other platforms to consider using the functionality for their own services, Ola is also making the Maps API available to developers. The majority of our applications, such as Zomato, Uber, and even shopping apps, require location access in order to monitor your information and deliver groceries, cabs, and food right to your door. Ola Maps aspires to become the nation's made-in-India competitor to Google Maps on all these platforms.

Ola Maps: Why The Shift Compared To Google Maps?

Ola has improved its internal mapping system and switched to Google Maps for a number of reasons. Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal asserts that his business would already be saving Rs 100 crore annually as a result of this action. In a post on X, he even mentions that the platform's cost has been eliminated by using Ola Maps. He says that users may update the Ola app immediately to acquire the new avatar and connect to its internal Ola Maps service.

Ola also states that it would provide a thorough blog post explaining how Ola Maps was created internally utilizing open-source components. The Ola CEO also stated that Ola mapping would soon include additional capabilities including interior and street view photos in addition to 3D and drone mapping.

This is not the first time a homegrown rival has been pitted against Google Maps in the nation. By providing a more localized experience and features that better suit the requirements of our roads and driving culture overall, MapMyIndia has done well to establish itself as a formidable competitor to Google's service.

Ola has stopped using Microsoft Azure for its operations, and this is a big step away from using Google Maps. Having said that, although announcing these changes is positive, it is important to maintain long-term use of in-house services and to keep expanding the alternatives available to customers.