Every second counts: Grab’s vision for a smarter map of Southeast Asia

Grab Editorial

. August 22, 2025 . Regional

Imagine this: you’re craving durian, the famously pungent and beloved fruit of Southeast Asia. Not just any durian, but the freshest available, at the best price, right now. You open a digital map, type in your request, and the map tells you exactly which store has it. It gives you directions and off you go. No browsing needed, no time wasted.

We may not yet have every durian stall accounted for, but we’re getting there. According to Grab’s Chief Product Officer, Philipp Kandal, it’s these types of problems he’s most excited to solve.

In a recent interview for What’s Your Problem—the podcast of former Planet Money co-host Jacob Goldstein—Philipp shared a vision for maps that go beyond navigation, with real-time, hyperlocal insights about Southeast Asia.

He dove into how Grab creates GrabMaps, its own, hyperlocal map for a fast-changing region where winding alleys, dense neighbourhoods, and motorbike-centric traffic demand a radically different approach to mapping.

Listen to the full conversation here.

What makes Southeast Asia so hard to map?

When Grab launched 13 years ago, it became evident that traditional map designs for developed countries like the US couldn’t meet the unique demands of Southeast Asia. That’s because, as Philipp puts it, traditional maps are built around the “mental model of cars”. “Southeast Asia is different—we’re operating primarily on motorbikes. And if you know Southeast Asian cities, we have these narrow alleys and sideways and traditional maps just don’t cover them,” he said. The early digital maps Grab relied on weren’t updated frequently, nor were they as accurate as they needed to be. This affected drivers’ ability to get food delivered to customers’ doorsteps in good time. Plus, drivers weren’t getting the most precise directions to pick up and drop off their passengers. Inaccurate and out-of-date maps were affecting Grab’s overall service. Something had to change.

How did Grab solve Southeast Asia’s mapping problems?

Philipp shared how Grab began mapping the region by tapping into its existing network of drivers, eventually equipping them with custom-built cameras to collect mapping data. GrabMaps was launched in 2022 as an enterprise service allowing Grab to share mapping expertise with other businesses needing advanced or custom maps of Southeast Asia.

Instead of relying on expensive mapping vans, Grab developed lightweight, inexpensive AI-powered cameras priced in the hundreds of dollars. These versatile cameras are mounted on motorbikes, cars, and even backpacks, allowing Grab to gather more precise mapping data. Previously unmapped parts of Southeast Asia—the narrow alleyways, the insides of shopping malls, the dirt paths, you name it—could now be accounted for by GrabMaps.

Watch: Our KartaCam 2 in action

Our drivers were already crisscrossing Southeast Asia’s cities hundreds of times a day, explained Philipp, adding that equipping our fleet with cameras allowed us to collect mapping data at a fraction of the cost of doing this with a specialised fleet. By the end of 2025, Grab will have about 20,000 cameras deployed across Southeast Asia, capturing real-time data that traditional mapping companies and third-party mapping providers would typically struggle to match.

What accurate maps mean for Grab’s marketplace

The scale and precision of GrabMaps helps driver-partners reduce time spent navigating and increases the efficiency of each trip. Quicker drop-offs and more trips completed per day lead to increased driver earnings, as well as more satisfied consumers and merchants. “The goal is always shaving seconds off every trip,” said Philipp. “Across a billion deliveries, 2.5 seconds saved across every delivery is roughly one lifetime that you can save!”

Solving everyday problems

Beyond navigation, GrabMaps is designed to solve hyperlocal challenges unique to Southeast Asia. For example, Philipp discussed how Grab maps indoor malls with precision, guiding drivers to the correct entrance, parking spot, and store location in order to pick up orders as quickly as possible. Grab’s mapping services have also enabled other businesses to overcome the challenges of navigating Southeast Asia’s complex landscape. Philipp shared the story of a startup that relied on GrabMaps to collect used cooking oil to be turned into sustainable biofuels from small merchants. “A lot of these merchants are small neighbourhood mom-and-pop shops, by little side roads and alleys,” said Philipp.

What’s next for GrabMaps?

Philipp explained Grab’s future ambitions. From AI-powered rain detection using windshield wiper data to real-time voice reporting for drivers, Grab is embedding AI into almost every aspect of its operations. As Philipp said: “The hard problems are the fun ones.” With a vision for real-time maps powered by hyperlocal insights, Grab is paving the way for a smarter, faster, and more connected world.

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