MapMyIndia’s GPS based in-car navigation device
The online mapping space in India just jumped a few notches upwards. MapmyIndia has rolled out an in-car GPS navigation device for Indian road travel. This device provides real-time turn-by-turn navigation with visual map guidance and voice instructions. It contains basic maps for 55,000 towns and villages connected by national and state highways, with detailed coverage of streets, localities, sub-localities in 18 major cities. The device has a 3.5†colour touch-screen and can either be mounted on the dashboard or carried in hand while sitting in the backseat. Priced at 21K INR, the navigator is currently available with car accessory and consumer electronics dealers in New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai (also online on Indiatimes, FutureBazaar, & MapmyIndia.com). This is a one-time cost for the product which comes pre-loaded with complete all India maps and standard accessories. There is no recurring usage charge for using the product as the GPS signal is free. Updates to the maps will be made available twice a year on a charged basis. Not just that, the device also has multimedia features to play movies, music, photos, games etc.
This sub-section of MMI’s website features the navigator; you can catch snapshots of the device’s UI here; go here if you want to purchase it online.
This move underlines MMI’s virtually unassailable position in the Indian cartographic space; they are clearly the pioneers. As for the device, its difficult to predict unless one sees it firsthand. The 21K price-tag is certainly steep and may prohibit adoption, specially in the end-consumer segment. The success of the device is likely to be influenced heavily by the device’s user experience, as it is meant to be used on the move (while driving), often using only one hand.
Shivaas on Nov 6, 2007
This looks cool… and disruptive too !
@Amit - your thoughts on where does this leave the other players in this space like onyomo and routeguru to name a few ?
I think if they could get this gadget’s price at somewhere near 10k, it would definitely be a killer product.
amit on Nov 7, 2007
yes, 22k is a fair bit of money for the Indian context. People may spend that kind of money for conspicuous consumption but not really for its utilitarian value.
I am sure with time, they’ll bring down the price-point..
chandu on Nov 27, 2007
how it works and anywhere in globe it works?
A.L.Sekar on Dec 10, 2007
I wish there could be a device that can clear the traffic snarls at a touch of a button. But, leaving the fantasy apart, this is a good handy device, but for the steep price. May be with more market, the price may come down to around 10k. For people on the move, this is god send.
Only info which i believe is not available is paid parking areas. May be data from municipalities and corporations may be found wanting.
Combining other utilities like music, movies will help when you are driving down the roads which you know like the back of your hand. i presume, usb slot is there to put in my thumbdrive.
I think it is good/necessary product and i am going to go for one.
car gps on Jul 26, 2008
Ever feel your phone could be more communicative? A prototype developed by German and Swedish researchers uses pulses of heat on your skin to get the message across, and to direct you using GPS.
Car GPS Guy on Aug 18, 2008
Interesting to read the emphasis on ‘one-handed use while on the move’. Other countries which have had GPS longer, like the USA and parts of Europe, have seen traffic accidents attributed to car GPS system use rocket. Even to the point manufacturers have actually started producing devices now that specifically CANNOT be operated on the move!
autoverleih on Aug 20, 2008
Thanks to the article, it make the life easier and make the commenter come back again and again
jeet on Sep 2, 2008
I want to know the info about the market position of company map my india
Sameer Khanna on Feb 20, 2009
I just got a MapmyIndia navigator the other day and voilaaa iam impresed . The thing just works perfect .
Though , its a bit steep on price and i thought twice before buying it cause there are some cheap ones available in the market … . i checked out satguide , and they were offering a GPS for 14000/- , but then i decided to go for map my india cause i didnt wanna regret after spending 14 k … i rather spend a bit more and get an assured quality product .
So ya , here it is … My first experience with the Map My India GPS .
last friday , i took my wife and kids to a short weekend getaway …we decided to drive down to rajasthan . At first , we started from the NH8 and surprisingly … the maps are in damn good detail . we started early morning at 5 and went across the highway crusing at a 100kmph , the navigator just didnt loose the signal , no matter how fast we went . i didnt know the road names/surrounding blocks etc and whilist our journey but now …little seems difficult .
i would recommend if someone wants to go for a GPS to buy it from a reputed company , thats why i chose Map my India …. they do a pretty god job out there .