autoX spoke to Mr. Peter Bolesza, Vice President of Emerging Markets at NNG, a provider of navigation services. In the interaction, we discussed the future and scope of Navigation in India, how competition from other brands affects his company, and how navigation can help vis-a-vis our poor infrastructure.
Some of the regions in which NNG is trying to expand to have spotty records in terms of road networks and infrastructure (India, Russia + CIS). What problems does the company foresee in terms of expansion in such regions?
The challenge we’re facing is to provide the best user experience in every country. However, the understanding of good user experience can vary from country to country. We have to consider languages, the logic of menu structures, different search mechanisms, address systems, infra structures and much more.
For the India edition of the iGO Navigation software we developed the IQS (Intelligent Quick Search) feature, for example. While India misses the traditional address system that Europe uses, with road names and house numbers, the IQS feature allows searches across all databases that are stored in the software: by entering one word you can search across Points of Interest (POI), Favorites, GPS Coordinates, address points and other saved content. This enables Indian users to enter their destinations much quicker, without having to open different databases to see what famous building or landmark is near their destination.
However, the software is only as good as the map and content that it utilizes. This is why NNG provides regular map and content updates for its software to catch up with the ever changing road system. iPhone users can download updates through iTunes; users of Personal Navigation Devices (PND) and Aftermarket units can download updates from Naviextras.com, NNG’s web portal that offers fresh maps and additional content such as 3D packages to every user of iGO Navigation software. What’s more, users cannot only buy maps if they travel to another country but rent them for a short period of time!
How does your company plan to cope with established brands like Map My India and Garmin?
Competition is what makes us improve! We’re facing it all over the world. It doesn’t matter who arrived first to a market; it matters who offers the best User Experience! NNG delivers the optimal India navigation experience by combining a number of advanced features such as Live Traffic, Realistic Junction Views and Point Addressing and then making these features available on a User Interface that is attractive and easy to learn, even for first-time navigation users. Reliable route calculation is guaranteed through regular map and content updates.
We have worked hard to introduce fully localized and relevant navigation software to India and have successfully entered business cooperations with leading brands such as ANS, Blaupunkt and Caska. NNG has a reputation for developing fast software, local features and navigation that can handle even challenging and rapidly growing road systems.
Most smartphones come with a pre-installed map/navigation app. What additional benefit does your software add to the user?
Most smartphones come with navigation solutions that require an online connection. Accessing the parts of the map that are needed to get you to your destination requires you to download a certain amount of data. This turns out to be a real disadvantage when using your navigation app on a daily basis or when going on a longer trip where a large part of the country’s map is needed.
iGO Navigation is an offline solution meaning that no internet connection is needed to navigate. This also becomes crucial in regions with bad cellular coverage or when travelling abroad where roaming charges can really drive your phone bill. The maps and all other content are stored on your device and are always available.
On top of that iGO Navigation solutions give you the feel and touch of a real turn-by-turn navigation solution. With almost 10 years of experience in the global industry we understand what logic, features and intuitive background actions a user needs. For example, if the driver leaves the highway unexpectedly, iGO Navigation tries to figure out the reason behind this action, instead of blindly telling him to turn around and get back on the highway. The app will offer possible solutions like gas stations, restaurants etc.
This makes the difference between a mapping solution and an iGO Navigation solution on a smartphone: the usability, the user experience.
Do you believe increasingly expansive public transportation projects in India will affect the number of car buyers and as a result the number of people who would need navigation software?
If public transportation works well, it can be a real help to traffic and environmental problems. However, we believe that navigation still matters even if people change to trains and buses. More and more people use navigation apps on their smartphone in order to profit from pedestrian navigation and Points of Interest such as restaurants and cash machines. Also people might use the car to get to a train station, park it there at a parking place recommended by the GPS, then take the train to their final destination. In the near future a navigation app will be able to connect all this: driving, parking, walking, and even public transport.
It remains to be seen if better transportation options lower the number of sold cars in India. The numbers on India’s growing road system and sold cars are only rough indicators. Consider that people buy cars for a number of reasons, such as convenience and status. Not everyone will do away with a personal vehicle because a bus service is available.
Do you believe the greater cause of India’s traffic woes are down to an inadequate road network or an unmanageable number of cars on the roads?
Both traffic and the developing road network are an issue; you cannot separate one from the other. We believe that navigation is an effective tool to reduce traffic issues as well as air congestion. By planning short, green, or simple-to-follow routes, providing exact arrival times, warning drivers of traffic jams and avoiding extra miles due to the driver getting lost, navigation makes our lives better, and driving becomes stress-free and more enjoyable.
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