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Why would Grab need to "convert professional drivers to real maps"? According to the article, it's already solving for all the unique problems by building out t

Why would Grab need to "convert professional drivers to real maps"? According to the article, it's already solving for all the unique problems by building out their own map. Your reads to me like you expect that if someone comes to you and gives you GPS coordinates, you should be able to know where that is because you have a GPS in your pocket. No, you'd need to put the GPS coordinates into something and have it translated to something that made sense for you, like into Google Maps. Same goes for Thais, even if it's a PITA for you. Unique problems require unique solutions, and I think your definition of a map is probably too closed-minded. Imagine trying to take a real map and deliver something here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQyVMy6_n1k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQyVMy6_n1k

bjcy 2y ago
While your point is certainly valid, the parent's experience lines up with mine. There is a disconnect for rideshare/delivery drivers even between getting instructions from Google Maps vs. me reading out instructions straight from Google Maps. If I say exactly what Google Maps, then we're able to get to where I need to go. I will say that it is changing, though. For younger rideshare drivers, there is a greater reliance on and ability to use Google Maps. In my experience, it is older drivers that have an interesting time adapting. This makes me think that there is certainly some ostensibly unrelated cultural norms at play: for example, Thailand exhibits a high degree of social hierarchy dependent on age, and a priority on saving face. Totally ignoring Google Maps, if I know the best way to get somewhere in Bangkok, and I know that most taxi drivers don't, me communicating it in Thai as respectful as is culturally appropriate can and does get shut down or ignored. In these instances, we invariably get lost and/or stuck in traffic. Is a dislike for Google Maps in navigation completely a function of cultural values? Probably not, but this kind of technology isn't thought to be by default an amazing convenience in many parts of the world.
- jannyfer 2y ago
  Very interesting, thanks for sharing.
petesergeant 2y ago
> Why would Grab need to "convert professional drivers to real maps"? Because Grab have been around a long time and their custom maps are pretty new

bjcy 2y ago

While your point is certainly valid, the parent's experience lines up with mine. There is a disconnect for rideshare/delivery drivers even between getting instructions from Google Maps vs. me reading out instructions straight from Google Maps. If I say exactly what Google Maps, then we're able to get to where I need to go. I will say that it is changing, though. For younger rideshare drivers, there is a greater reliance on and ability to use Google Maps. In my experience, it is older drivers that have an interesting time adapting. This makes me think that there is certainly some ostensibly unrelated cultural norms at play: for example, Thailand exhibits a high degree of social hierarchy dependent on age, and a priority on saving face. Totally ignoring Google Maps, if I know the best way to get somewhere in Bangkok, and I know that most taxi drivers don't, me communicating it in Thai as respectful as is culturally appropriate can and does get shut down or ignored. In these instances, we invariably get lost and/or stuck in traffic. Is a dislike for Google Maps in navigation completely a function of cultural values? Probably not, but this kind of technology isn't thought to be by default an amazing convenience in many parts of the world.

jannyfer 2y ago
Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

petesergeant 2y ago

> Why would Grab need to "convert professional drivers to real maps"? Because Grab have been around a long time and their custom maps are pretty new