Google Maps has long been the go-to navigation app for many in India. However, as the country’s road network continues to expand and urban areas become more densely populated, the reliability of Google Maps can sometimes be questionable. In such instances, users may find themselves in need of a more accurate and dependable navigation solution. Enter What3Words, a platform that offers a unique approach to location sharing and navigation.
Despite its unconventional name, What3Words enables users to find precise locations and navigate to them by simply searching for three words. The platform divides the entire world map into 3-meter by 3-meter squares and assigns three unique words to each square’s GPS coordinates. For example, if you were to type straddled.sprayer.sponsors into the What3Words website or app, you would be directed to the exact entrance of the Taj Mahal. By easily sharing these three words, such as straddled.sprayer.sponsors, with your friends, you can ensure precise meet-up locations.
Of course, one might wonder how to remember three unique words for every location. The solution is surprisingly simple – you only need to remember the words for your home or office. This way, you can easily share them with Uber drivers, friends, and others who need to know your exact location.
While Google Maps may seem like the ultimate navigation app, it primarily provides a bird’s eye view. Returning to the example of the Taj Mahal, its entrance coordinates are 27.174528, 78.047806. To guide your friends to the precise spot, you would need to share these GPS coordinates. However, relying on GPS coordinates every day is not practical. This is where What3Words shines, replacing cumbersome coordinates with three memorable words.
Chris Sheldrick, the CEO of What3Words, emphasized that his company is not trying to compete with Google Maps or any other mapping service. Instead, What3Words offers an additional layer to existing mapping services, enhancing the experience and accuracy for end users.
What3Words has already partnered with prominent courier companies like BlueDart and DTDC, as well as car brands like Tata Motors and Mahindra. It is completely free for consumers, requiring only a simple app download or access to the What3Words website.
BlueDart explained the challenges faced in India, where addresses are classified under pin codes associated with delivery post offices. This system often leads to broad coverage areas, making it difficult for customers to provide precise delivery instructions and for drivers to locate specific destinations. What3Words was specifically designed to address these issues.
In addition to its functionality, What3Words supports offline access in 54 languages, including 12 South Asian languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Nepali, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Punjabi, and Odia.
As users seek a more accurate and efficient navigation experience, What3Words offers a valuable alternative to traditional GPS coordinates. By dividing the world into easily identifiable squares and assigning three words to each, the platform simplifies location sharing and ensures precision. With its growing partnerships and availability in multiple languages, What3Words is poised to become a reliable tool for navigating the ever-expanding roads of India and beyond.
