How Google Maps became Indian: Data science expert explains how it did cultural integration
Shashwat Prem, a Product Manager at Eureka Forbes, highlighted that Indians use 'Take a left after the banyan tree,' 'Next to Sharma Sweets,' 'Opposite the mandir,' as their landmarks for navigating through areas.
'Google Maps didn't understand India at first,' he said, adding that it was launched in India using the same model as the West—structured addresses, road names, and grid-based navigation.
'But on the ground, we used a different language.'
Sharing an anecdote, Shashwat said he was visiting a local area in Lucknow last month when he was suddenly reminded of the Indian way of navigation, beyond Google Maps.
He said it was late at night, and the official street name and the direct route that Google Maps had provided him with were closed.
So, he resorted to taking directions from a local guy, who said, 'Take a U-turn from the dairy, and then go till you find the first 'gulley'.'
'Maps had no idea,' Shashwat quipped.
However, he highlighted that over time, Google has adapted.
'It started indexing tiny kirana stores, chai tapris, and landmarks that only locals knew. Business pins became more useful than street names,' he said, adding that today, Google Maps has started to sound more like that in the US.
'It's not just localisation—it's cultural integration. And it didn't come from day one,' he exclaimed.
Netizens agreed with Shashwat's observation, saying, 'Navigating culture is as important as navigating roads.' However, a few users also pointed out that Google's understanding of routes still lags, especially in hilly areas.
'In India, the banyan tree gives better directions than satellite signals. Glad tech finally realised that navigating culture is as important as navigating roads,' a social media user said.
'Best one so far is - 'Take Flyover'...game changer,' a user added.
A netizen said: 'I think localisation of any product to the country it is launched in makes a lot of sense. The whole point of helping people is out is to entrench within their existing lives and make it easier/better. This has extended to all walks of life including entertainment, lifestyle products and durables as well.'
'The Million Dollar question is: Maps adapted; when will other MNCs doing business in India adapt?' asked another user.
A user highlighted: 'While Google Maps has definitely adapted to Indian cities, it still struggles in hilly and remote regions like the Northeast. Landmarks change fast, roads are unpredictable, and context is hyperlocal. Still a gap to be bridged in truly understanding all of India.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Standard
3 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Westlife Foodworld Celebrates 30 Years of Local Partnership and Progress this Independence Day
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 14: As India marks its 79th Independence Day, Westlife Foodworld, operator of McDonald's India (West & South), proudly celebrates three decades of deep-rooted service to the nation. Over the years, it has sourced locally, empowered Indian farmers, built robust supply chains from scratch, innovated menus that reflects India's diverse tastes, and created thousands of livelihood opportunities for Indians. Since opening the first McDonald's restaurant in Mumbai in 1996, Westlife Foodworld has built a robust farm-to-table supply chain spanning the country. From buns baked in Maharashtra and Karnataka to the crisp lettuce grown in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, and from potatoes harvested in Gujarat and Punjab to cheese produced in Maharashtra, every McDonald's India meal showcases India's agricultural diversity. Spices from Kerala and coffee beans from Karnataka complete the authentic Indian experience at McDonald's restaurants, all coming together to serve millions of customers every year across West and South India. From day one, Westlife Foodworld embraced local values and traditions, including the practice of maintaining separate vegetarian and non-vegetarian kitchens at McDonald's. This truly Indian and unique commitment to the cultural and dietary preferences of Indian customers has been a core offering from the inception. The McDonald's India menu also reflects the true spirit of India that is diverse, innovative, and rooted in local tastes and traditions. The iconic McAloo Tikki burger, created specifically for Indian customers, stands as a testament to this commitment. The company continues to blend distinctly Indian flavours and local ingredients to serve over two lakh Indian customers, annually. Westlife also introduced innovations rooted in India's food heritage and nutritional needs. The Multi Millet Bun, made with indigenous millets, and the recently launched Protein Plus Slice, both developed with CSIR-CFTRI, the country's premier government-backed food research institute, reflect the brand's commitment to bringing wholesome, homegrown legacy ingredients to its menu. In addition to delighting taste buds, the organisation continues to invest in inclusive growth. McDonald's India's first all-women-run restaurant in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, employs over 30 women from local tribes and communities, managing every aspect of operations, setting a benchmark in the industry. Westlife Foodworld is listed on Indian stock exchanges, both BSE and NSE. The company employs over 11,000 Indians and works with thousands of farmers and several local suppliers, ensuring that every meal served is the product of Indian hands and ingenuity. The company currently runs 444 McDonald's restaurants and is set to reach 580 to 630 restaurants in the next two years, making it an integral part of India's economic fabric and growth story.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Tech Wrap Aug 14: Vivo Vision glasses, Gemini update, LinkedIn Mini Sudoku
Vivo AR glasses to launch on August 21. Gemini learns to remember and go incognito. LinkedIn introduces Mini Sudoku. PUBG to end support on PS4, Xbox One. Photos brings creative tools Tech Wrap August 14 BS Tech New Delhi Vivo's answer to Apple Vision Pro headset launches on August 21 Chinese consumer electronics brand Vivo has announced that it will be launching its Vision Discovery Edition Glasses on August 21. The announcement was accompanied by a teaser video highlighting the headset's design. Vivo has yet to confirm whether this will be a global event or limited to its home market in China. Google is upgrading its Gemini AI assistant to be both more personalised and more privacy-conscious. According to Google, Gemini will now offer two new features: a memory-enabled 'Personal Context' mode, which remembers your past conversations to deliver more tailored responses, and an optional 'Temporary Chat' mode, which allows one-off interactions that leave no lasting data trace. LinkedIn has released its sixth thinking-oriented game, Mini Sudoku. The platform has collaborated with the original creators of Sudoku, a small Japanese puzzle magazine named Nikoli, who handcrafted Sudoku around 41 years ago. Mini Sudoku essentially is a daily, bite-sized version of the classic game, designed to be solved in just a few minutes. South Korean game publisher Krafton will shift PUBG Console exclusively to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S from November 13, 2025. According to the company's official press release, this transition marks the end of support for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, which will no longer be playable or available for download after the stated date. For context, PUBG Console is the console-specific edition of the battle royale game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, designed for platforms like PlayStation and Xbox. Google has reportedly begun rolling out new features to its Photos app, including the earlier-announced 'Create' tab, which consolidates various creative tools for easier use, and a fresh AI-powered 'Remix' function for altering the visual style of images. According to 9To5Google, these additions have started appearing for select users on both Android and iOS versions of the app. Samsung is widening the rollout of its Android 16-based One UI 8 beta to more Galaxy smartphones. According to a report from 9To5Google, the beta build is now reaching Galaxy S24 series smartphones as well as the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. This follows Samsung's earlier confirmation that the One UI 8 beta would extend to more smartphones later in August, with a stable release planned for eligible models in September. Google is rolling out sensitive content warnings in Messages to alert users when sending, receiving, or forwarding images that may contain nudity. In an update to its support page, Google detailed that the feature will automatically detect and blur such images, alongside adding child safety measures. Apple has reportedly filed a patent application for an all-glass iPhone design, potentially hinting at a future model. As per a 9to5Mac report, the filing describes an electronic device with a 'six-sided glass enclosure,' aligning with Apple's long-standing vision for iPhone hardware, what former design chief Jony Ive once called a 'single slab of glass.' Reliance Digital has kicked off the 'Digital India sale', live until August 17, in which it is offering discounts of up to 25 per cent along with bank offers, no-interest equated monthly instalment (no-cost EMI), and UPI discounts on a range of electronics and gadgets. Key deals include the MacBook Air M1 at ₹49,990, iPhone 13 at ₹39,900, Google Pixel 9a at ₹42,999, and a 55-inch UHD Google TV at ₹24,990.
Economic Times
3 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Trump is aiming for Pakistan-style compliance from India, but his plan is not working
Synopsis Amidst rising tensions, the US-India trade relationship faces turbulence as Trump's administration imposes tariffs, allegedly to pressure India on geopolitical issues like Russian oil imports. India views these actions as an infringement on its sovereignty, resisting demands to compromise on agriculture, patent laws and military sourcing. India's refusal to play a compliant role, unlike Pakistan, frustrates Trump. "Trump wants a vessel like Pakistan. India refuses to behave like one." That blunt assessment from Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), captures the essence of the US-India trade saga: it's less about economics than geopolitics. While headlines focus on tariffs and trade deficits, the underlying story is about power, leverage and sovereignty. Speaking to Economic Times, Srivastava explains, "Washington expects compliance, and India is not yielding." Trump, who is set to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, has long framed tariffs as a tool to 'fix trade deficits,' but India's case suggests a different motive. On August 7, the US announced it would raise tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 50%, citing Delhi's purchase of Russian oil. India called the move 'unfair' and 'unjustified,' with the new rate set to take effect on August 27. The White House framed the tariffs as a way to cut Russia's energy revenues and pressure Vladimir Putin toward a ceasefire. With this increase, India becomes the most heavily taxed US trading partner in Asia, joining Brazil which faces similar steep tariffs amid tense bilateral relations. The economic stakes for India are high. In 2024, India exported $87 billion worth of goods to the US. According to US Census Bureau data for May 2025, imports from India stood at $9.43 billion, while US exports to India were $3.82 billion, resulting in a US goods trade deficit, or an Indian surplus, of roughly $5.6 billion. If the 50% tariffs remain in place, nearly all of India's annual exports to the US could become commercially unviable. Meanwhile, the US continues to run a $45.7 billion goods trade deficit with India, yet these tariffs disproportionately affect Indian exports compared with goods from other Srivastava, the message is clear: 'Trade deficit is just for the namesake. It's about forcing countries to fall in line with a geopolitical agenda.' India imports roughly 20% of its GDP in goods, spanning petroleum, machinery and electronics, yet Washington appears less concerned with trade imbalances than with pressuring India to compromise on and dairy have emerged as key sticking points in India-US trade talks, which collapsed earlier this month. On August 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared, 'India will never compromise on the well-being of its farmers, dairy producers and fishermen.' New Delhi has consistently resisted US pressure to open these sectors, arguing that doing so would threaten millions of small farmers. Historically, India has kept agriculture largely off the table in trade agreements to safeguard domestic to Srivastava, US demands extend far beyond tariffs: opening government procurement, diluting patent laws that could make medicines costlier, limiting future digital taxes, and shifting military sourcing to the US. 'Even if we open agri and dairy, no trade deal will happen with this. Not a trade issue. They want you to open your government procurement, dilute patent laws, commit to never charge digital tax in future, buy military from the US, the list is endless,' he adds, 'Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Brazil partly over politics and partly because Brazil asked Twitter to remove anti-Brazil content. Records show India generates even more such requests, so he could use that as an excuse too. He can conjure unlimited reasons to impose tariffs if he's unhappy. My sense is he doesn't want a partner in India, he wants a vassal. India refuses to play that role; it insists on an equal partnership. That's the basic problem.'The US approach to Russian oil imports is uneven. China, Russia's largest crude buyer, faces no comparable tariff threats, while India is under heavy pressure. 'Even if the US demanded zero imports from Russia, India's imports would fall anyway due to economic circumstances,' notes Srivastava. European and US bans on petroleum products derived from Russian crude are already reducing India's imports, independent of Washington's selective approach reflects a broader pattern in US trade policy. Brazil, for example, faced a 50% tariff despite running a surplus with the US, largely over political disagreements including its stance on Venezuela and former President Bolsonaro. Venezuela itself is under secondary sanctions for buyers of its oil, though some firms, like Chevron, have received exemptions. These cases suggest that political alignment often outweighs economic between Russia and the US has dropped roughly 90% since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, though last year the US still imported $3 billion worth of Russian goods, according to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau. Meanwhile, the European Union, a partner in sanctions against Russia, imported $41.9 billion (36 billion euros) of Russian goods in 2024, Eurostat data the US pressures India to cut Russian oil imports, market forces and global regulations are already reshaping trade flows. Europe and US bans on petroleum products ensure India's imports will decline regardless of Washington's actions. Srivastava cautions, however, that the US may find new reasons for tariffs, keeping India under continuous has built a buffer against such pressures. Exports constitute roughly 20% of GDP, compared with 90% for Vietnam, a country far more vulnerable to US-imposed shocks. 'Vietnam will suffer more. We will suffer, but we will absorb it properly. Country will bounce back. All we need to do is not to surrender,' Srivastava US consumers will also feel the impact of tariffs. About 90% of prescriptions in the US rely on generics imported from India. While the total trade value may be under $10 billion, disruption affects the majority of prescriptions, potentially raising prices significantly. Companies may eventually source alternatives over three to four months, but the immediate effect is inflationary.'Indian exports will suffer, but we need to consider whether it's better to endure this and use it to push delayed reforms, like diversifying exports, rather than falling into a bad deal. This isn't really about trade; it's about surrendering sovereignty,' Srivastava Srivastava, Trump's broader strategy is political theatre. 'Basically, he wanted to hit China. He couldn't, so he has to show his domestic voters that he is a big man, that a bully can show strength by hitting someone. He couldn't hit China, so let's hit India, that's the only thing.'With China, Trump launched a trade war over the large trade deficit, but Beijing hit back by restricting supplies of critical materials, he noted. 'India hasn't used those levers, which is why Washington expected Delhi to yield immediately.'India's refusal to play a compliant role, unlike Pakistan, frustrates Trump. At the same time, India maintains strategic autonomy, engaging with Russia on defence, limiting deep Chinese investment to marketing and distribution, and managing relations with the US on equal footing. 'We are a big country, big economy, and so we have to have workable, good relations with everyone, without being in anybody's camp,' Srivastava pre-Galwan, Chinese investment has been superficial. 'China doesn't invest in deep manufacturing. They will not supply any technology. They will invest in marketing of cars, garments, two, $5 billion here and there, but we don't want that. So we have to evaluate very carefully,' he says.'We can have targeted strategic relationships, like with Russia for defence, but moving closer to China is complicated. There's the border dispute and a $100 billion trade deficit,' he export-oriented economy, diversified supply chains and robust domestic market allow it to absorb short-term shocks while resisting long-term concessions. 'All we need to do is not enter into any relationship that costs us the medium or long term,' Srivastava takeaway is clear: Trump's tariffs are less about trade and more about leverage. Every tweet, every tariff threat, every demand is a political signal designed to demonstrate strength to domestic voters. 'Every day he abuses us on Twitter. That shows India has entered his mind,' Srivastava response emphasises sovereignty, resilience and strategic foresight. "Trade deal is not a trade deal. It's about bargaining for your sovereignty. And India is not bargaining."
