Global Addressing Service What3Words Expands In India With TVS Partnership

UK-based addressing system what3words which has divided every 3 meters of the planet into a pixel-like block defined by three random words has expanded in India with a partnership TVS motors. Already the service had a tie-up with Tata Motors and globally is also integrated in Mercedes Benz vehicles.

"We've divided the world into three by three-meter squares. And we've named each one with three words out of the dictionary," explained Chris Sheldrick, CEO, and co-founder of what3words. Sheldrick says that what3words has even divided parts of the ocean into a 3-meter block with a dedicated address in 3 words.

Sheldrick in an interview with carandbike.com also revealed that the service for the last couple of years had been localised for a number of Indian languages with a team of 50 linguists per language. Sheldrick revealed that the company had been building up the service for four years in India and also has a business development team based in of Bangalore.

"We've been working on the sort of development of the Indian language systems for four years, and then those languages were all launched over about the last year or so," he added.

But the bigger deal is that it has a relationship with Mercedes Benz and it also integrated its service in Tata's IRA-connected car stack which is available on cars like the Nexon, Altroz, and Punch. And now, the service is also coming to 2-wheelers.

What3words has divided the entire planet in addresses of 3 words

"We also have now signed a deal with TVS, so we'll be coming to TVS as motorcycles, which we're very excited about as well," he revealed. "TVS is bringing out this app, which actually then sort of does have an interface with the motorcycle itself," through which Sheldrick reveals the service will work.

In addition to this what3words has also partnered with BVG MEMS in Maharashtra. "We've done a partnership with BVG MEMS, which is the operator for the ambulance service in Maharashtra. And they have now used what3words for several real-life rescues where people called up the emergency number, but they didn't know where they were. And they were able to speak the three words over the phone," Sheldrick revealed.

Sheldrick revealed that what3words has also raised an investment of $10 million from the Times Group in India from its Brand Capital venture arm for further expansion into India.

One of the areas it is looking to partner with is the ride-sharing space and Sheldrick without sharing specifics, revealed what3words was in active dialogue with the likes of Ola and Uber.

"We are also talking to ride sharing services as well" he added.