SatNav's Maps To Be Installed In Autos; Govt Authorises Tracking

The Indian government has authorised autorickshaws in the national capital to install GPS devices for tracking. Sequoia Capital funded GIS firm SatNav Technologies is part of a consortium that will deliver the technology to the autorickshaws.

According to the Telegraph, the GPS devices will be installed in 250 auto rickshaws and drivers will be able to rent the GPS devices on a monthly basis, as well as purchase them. While the location detecting system will help keep a check on distances travelled, a panic button will also be embedded on the GPS devices to help customers in trouble.

The GPS devices are being bought and rented out by a Delhi-based firm. No details are available on the manufacturer or the company involved.

SatNav's maps will be used on the GPS devices, Amit Prasad, Founder & CEO, SatNav Technologies confirmed to Techcircle.in. SatNav Technologies is a Hyderabad-based navigation firm with GPS and GIS products and services. It manufactures SatGuide, 4.3-inch GPS devices, priced at Rs 6,500. From July 1, the company upgraded all its SKUs in the market.  The company recently partnered with Israeli firm Waze Inc. to launch an app with navigation and live traffic updates for smartphones.

Competitor CE Info Systems Pvt Ltd or MapmyIndia recently announced its biggest online map update so far and its director Rohan Verma told Techcircle.in that sales of GPS Navigators by the company was doubling year on year.