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The new partnership aims to combine Grab's expertise in crowdsourced mapping with Natix's DePIN model that rewards users for providing decentralized data input.
Grab, the Southeast Asian giant app, has partnered with Natix, a project within the decentralized physical infrastructure network of Solana (DePIN), to collaborate on mapping and self-driving technologies.
The joint partnership aims to combine Natix's blockchain-based mapping data with Grab's AI-supported camera technology and mapping solutions, according to what Natix announced in a statement on May 6.
The announcement noted that "this partnership brings together the best of both worlds," referring to Grab's expertise in crowdsourced mapping and Natix's unique DePIN model that rewards users for providing decentralized data input.
Source: Natix
Grab's mapping service GrabMaps wrote in a LinkedIn post on Tuesday: "By combining GrabMaps' AI-powered mapping technology with Natix's decentralized data network, we are working to enable high-precision real-time map updates around the world."
360-degree images of Tesla drivers
As part of the collaboration, Natix will launch the VX360 device, which is built on Grab's hardware platform and allows Tesla drivers to collect and share 360-degree car images, according to GrabMaps in a LinkedIn statement.
It added that "this rich visual data supports the latest maps and provides critical training and validation datasets for self-driving and physical AI applications."
GrabMaps announced a partnership with the Natix network on LinkedIn. Source: GrabMaps
Besides Natix, GrabMaps has also collaborated on local site mapping technology with partners such as Loqate, Bing Maps, Mappls, and more, according to its official website.
Data-driven incentives to improve mapping
According to Natix, traditional centralized mapping methods such as Google Street View and TomTom are inefficient and costly and often associated with limited coverage and update frequency, requiring companies to invest significant amounts to update maps.
To solve this problem, Natix built a network of street cameras that enable crowdsourced models to collect real-time data from users' devices about road conditions and changes for "a fraction of the cost," as Ali Reza Qods, co-founder and CEO of Natix, told Cointelegraph.
Google has started leveraging this model by asking users to provide updates about roads, but the data remains proprietary. Access to it is costly and only available in areas where companies pay their fees, he added.
"The blockchain-based incentive system provides better results in terms of frequency, engagement, and coverage."
Natix stated in the announcement: "We are giving Tesla drivers access to their car camera data and storage - while earning rewards for contributing 360-degree images that will be used to improve mapping solutions and enhance physical AI."
Source: Natix
Qods said that for technology to care about map events like accidents and roadworks in addition to traffic signs, Natix has also built AI pipelines to extract data, adding:
"Some of these efforts are internal, and we are now planning to leverage Grab's AI capabilities as they have advanced technology already designed to meet this need."
Grab's growing interest in cryptocurrencies and blockchain
The new partnership between Grab and Natix marks another milestone in the growing use cases for the company to adopt blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.
In March 2024, Grab partnered with payment company Triple-A to enable its customers to pay for services using five cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin.
Bitcoin
94,350 USD
Ether
Ethereum
1,764 USD
and USDC from Circle
United States Dollar to Dollar
0.9999 USD
Stablecoin.
Excerpt from a case study conducted by Circle on Grab. Source: Circle
Additionally, Grab is significantly supported by the Japanese multinational investment firm SoftBank, known for its bullish stance on cryptocurrencies and AI.
This news comes shortly after Grab announced revenues of $773 million in the first quarter of 2025, up 18% year-on-year.
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