Google Maps Competition: Meta, AWS, Microsoft and TomTom join forces

Open, interoperable map data – that’s what the Overture Maps Foundation is working on under the Linux Foundation. Cards should be universal and better than ever. Major technology companies Meta, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and TomTom have joined forces in this work. However, everyone is now free to support the project.

Concretely, existing map data should be collected and brought together. According to the announcement, companies that publish their data will, in return, receive updated and accurate maps for their use. The material world is changing. And because the data is open source, there will be a whole community that will develop additional services based on it.

Google Maps Competition and Apple Maps Service

Allianz even considers it impossible for the company to be able to keep its map service up to date with all the changes in the world on its own. A statement that clearly indicates the direction of Google and therefore Google Maps. Because this is currently the most used map service in the world. In fact, the illustrations now have at least some weaknesses. It’s been a few years since Google Camera Cars recorded the streets of Germany, and it’s now meant to be done by private individuals. Some of the new tracks move rather slowly. But the abundance of additional information and links on Google Maps is almost overloaded.

Specifically, the Overture Foundation wants to collect the data it receives from its members, charities and from open sources such as Openstreetmap or town planning offices. The data should be compatible with Openstreetmap accordingly. Entities from different data sources must lead to the respective entity in the physical world via a new interoperable system. By quality testing, the cards must be stable and secure enough to be used in production systems. Should create a simple scheme to use.

Map data is needed for many services, beyond the end user looking for their way around – whether for simple fitness tracking or other IoT applications such as autonomous driving. Meta’s commitment can be explained by the fact that location and mapping data will also be important to the Metaverse.

The introduction expects the first results as early as the first half of 2023. These should be simple maps with buildings, streets and administrative information. As a result, places, traffic management and 3D information will be added.

However, there is also competition from Apple at the moment. The company is currently working on its own mapping service and is always posting new street photos from different cities and regions.

(emw)