Home-grown large language model artificial intelligence company, Ola Krutrim, unveiled its ambitious new product strategy and roadmap for its Google Maps competitor Ola Maps today. By offering powerful new Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and Software Development Kits (SDKs) at competitive prices, the company aims to enhance India’s tech sovereignty.
Krutrim has laid out a detailed plan to introduce a suite of robust APIs designed to cater to diverse needs. These APIs include Autocomplete, Reverse Geocoding, Vector Tiles, and Directions, each integral to building advanced mapping applications. Additionally, feature-rich SDKs for web, Android, and iOS platforms will complement these API offerings, providing developers with versatile tools to create sophisticated applications.
In an effort to support Indian innovation, Krutrim has announced a highly competitive pricing model. The company will offer 5 million free API calls per month for all users, which is expected to cover almost all startups in India. For larger volumes, Krutrim’s pricing will be 50 percent of Google’s recently reduced rates. Moreover, users committing to a three-year plan will receive two years of free access, while startups and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) building on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) platform will enjoy three years of free access to Ola Maps APIs.
Bhavish Aggarwal, founder of Krutrim, emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, “It’s time we build world-class alternatives to big tech giants and empower Indian innovation. I’m very excited to announce a further reduced pricing structure and our future product roadmap for Ola Maps. While all main APIs are supported by Ola Maps today, we will be feature-complete for all kinds of APIs, SDKs, and niche use cases by December.”
In a significant move to empower developers, Krutrim has partnered with ONDC to provide its mapping platform to developers on the network. This collaboration will offer three years of free access to Ola Maps APIs for startups and SMBs registered with ONDC, fostering innovation and growth in the digital commerce space.
In addition, Ola Maps is set to introduce several advanced features in its new APIs and SDKs. The Routes APIs will offer traffic-aware directions, a distance matrix with multi-modal transportation options, and specific routing needs such as two-wheeler routing and toll information. The Places APIs will provide powerful search capabilities, enabling users to find nearby locations, conduct natural language-based searches, and access detailed place information.
For developers, the Web SDK will include functionalities such as custom markers, interactive info windows, and advanced visualization tools like heatmaps and marker clustering. Mobile developers will benefit from the Android and iOS SDKs, which will support dynamic maps, custom markers, intuitive user controls, and automatic localisation into Indic languages.
To support the developer community, Krutrim is also introducing several new platform features, including a Map Style Editor, a dedicated test environment, comprehensive documentation, tutorials, a community forum, and robust customer support through an automated ticket system and chat support.
The slate of announcements comes a day after Google reduced prices of its Google Maps Platform for developers in India by 70 percent effective August 1, a move that Bhavish Aggarwal criticised on X, the platform previously known as Twitter.
“Dear Google, too little too late! Reducing prices for Google Maps, ‘offering to price in ₹’ after #ExitGoogleMaps. Don’t need your fake generosity!” the founder and CEO of Ola wrote.
Earlier this month, Aggarwal announced that Ola Cabs had fully transitioned from Google Maps to Ola Maps. He mentioned that this move is projected to save the company Rs 100 crore annually.
