NATIX, a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) focused on mapping data on Solana, has announced a strategic partnership with Grab, a well-known taxi service in Southeast Asia. This collaboration aims to enhance mapping technologies and accuracy, thereby optimizing urban navigation.
Grab, which not only offers taxi services but also crowdsources mapping data, will leverage this partnership to extend its footprint into the U.S. and European markets. In this relationship, the NATIX team will utilize Grab’s advanced hardware and software technologies for map-making, thereby creating a synergy that benefits both entities.
“We take care of the data collection side while monetizing the project together,” stated Alireza Ghods, the co-founder of NATIX, in a recent interview with CoinDesk. “Grab is acquiring the data we generate to establish their operational pipeline for the U.S. and Europe. Additionally, they are providing us with their robust hardware technology, as well as AI capabilities to analyze images and create comprehensive maps and navigation services.”
As Ghods emphasized, the partnership marks an important step toward global expansion: “We’re starting in the markets of the EU and US, where Grab is not currently present. This collaboration positions us to effectively penetrate those markets.”
The DePIN framework is a blockchain-based solution that facilitates the crowdsourcing of real-world infrastructure data, verified through decentralized technologies. The architecture of DePIN projects often finds a fitting home within the Solana ecosystem, known for its rapid transaction speeds and low costs.
NATIX thrives within this DePIN landscape, allowing users to contribute street data and mapping visuals directly from their smartphones. The crowdsourced data is utilized to develop decentralized maps, which can be harnessed by AI models for applications such as autonomous driving and smart city initiatives. Participants in this network are further incentivized through the distribution of NATIX’s native token, $NATIX, rewarding contributions.
“The rationale behind our collaboration lies in the powerful synergy between DePIN and well-established enterprise-grade technology,” Ghods remarked. “I believe this intersection represents one of the few areas in the crypto space that truly offers substantial value.”
Read more: DePIN 2.0: What the Next Generation of DePINs Is Doing Differently
