HERE Technologies, the world’s leading location data and technology company, employs about 3,700 people in India (half of its global workforce). “The core of our map-building is here – all the data processing, crunching and managing,” says Deon Newman, senior vice-president & general manager, Asia Pacific, HERE Technologies. In an interview with FE’s Vikram Chaudhary, he adds that HERE is now focusing on the commercial market in India, challenging local players and providing Indians with the best mapping data. Excerpts:
Tesla has tied up with Chinese tech giant Baidu to use the latter’s mapping and navigation functions, likely to be used in the former’s fully self-driving cars? Could this be an opportunity for HERE Technologies?
We are working with dozens of global and Chinese brands, some of which I won’t be able to disclose, but I must say that there are only two automakers that have Level 3 autonomous driving certification on public roads – Daimler and BMW – which we have helped develop, partly thanks to our high-definition maps. Autonomous driving is a big focus for us, and we have all the technologies and data to make that happen.
In India, HERE Technologies has its largest production centre (in Mumbai) and employs about 3,700 people. But how many customers do you have in India?
Yes, of HERE’s 6,500 employees, almost half work in India. The core of our map-building happens here – all the data processing, crunching and managing. The country is our brain. We are also focusing on the commercial market in India, challenging local players and providing Indians with the best mapping data.We have created a good digital representation of India – real-time traffic, locational data, geocoding, search data routing for two- and four-wheelers, as well as tour and logistical planning. We work with players like AWS, Uber and others for their location data requirements. In fact, logistics players are some of our biggest customers.
But when it comes to inbuilt maps in cars, not many automakers in India use HERE maps. Mercedes-Benz uses, but Hyundai and Kia don’t. These two Korean carmakers work with HERE Technologies globally, but in India they use MapmyIndia maps, which is your competitor. Why?
HERE maintains a strong and strategic partnership with Hyundai Motor Group, serving as a key supplier of mapping solutions globally. The decision by Hyundai and Kia to use MapmyIndia maps in India reflects the industry practice of leveraging multiple suppliers to meet regional needs.But HERE remains committed to delivering location intelligence and navigation experiences for Hyundai Motor Group and other leading automotive manufacturers worldwide.
In addition to Mercedes-Benz, which carmakers in India use HERE maps as default?
There are some things that we cannot disclose due to our agreements with customers, but I must tell you that maps and data from HERE are used by virtually every automaker, providing various location solutions for their vehicles in India. Our technology is integrated into numerous models, offering drivers access to high-quality location intelligence and experiences tailored to their preferences.
In India, half of the three-wheelers sold in FY24 were electric. Electrification is rising even in commercial four-wheelers, especially small vehicles. Is electrification an opportunity for HERE?
Electrification is our biggest opportunity. Commercial EVs can function profitably if they are presented with the most efficient route from point A to point B. And we have the best EV charging station information data for India, as also the best algorithms for EV routing – which contains details of energy consumption of the vehicle on the route, so that it reaches the destination without running out of energy, without losing time, and with the maximum charge possible so that the turnaround time is minimum. We are working with many players in this segment.
