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The Indian government is doing its part to keep up with the technological advancements of the modern world. Cultural differences, and some ignorance, can make it easy to lump all Middle-Eastern countries into the same, third-world boat. However, not all Middle-Eastern countries were created equal.

Granted there are many impoverished regions in India, but the same is true for the United States, China, and just about every other technologically advanced country. Recently, the Indian government has decided to implement GPS fleet tracking for its autorickshaws in the national capital.

For those unfamiliar with the term, an autorickshaw is a three-wheeled motor vehicle. They are used in India and several other Asian countries, Nigeria, Peru, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK, and a few Central American countries. They are typically used as taxis, or for personal transportation.

They go by many different names, such as rickshaw, auto, three-wheeler, tuk-tuk, trishaw, bajaj, mototaxi and baby taxi. The installation of GPS fleet tracking is an interesting technological juxtaposition to the simplistic, cheap design of the autorickshaw.

SatNav Technologies, a Sequoia Capital funded GIS firm, has been commissioned to install the GPS fleet tracking for the rickshaws. A total of 250 tracking devices will be made available to drivers and owners for monthly rent or purchase.

The technology will help keep track of distances traveled by the vehicles, as well as provide a panic button to send out an alert for customers who are in danger.

Amit Prasad, Founder and CEO of SatNav Technologies confirmed that the GPS devices being installed on the autorickshaws will include SatNav’s mapping system as well. MapmyIndia, also known as CE Info Systems Pvt Ltd, a competitor of SatNav Technologies, recently released an announcement that should keep SatNav on its toes. They’ve announced their biggest online map update ever, and sales of GPS Navigators from MapmyIndia have been doubling year upon year.

Article Written by Marisa O’Connor