Southeast Asian superapp Grab has launched a bold partnership with Natix, a pioneering project utilizing Solana’s DePIN network, aiming to revolutionize digital map creation and updating. This collaboration merges Natix’s decentralized mapping technology with Grab’s expertise in crowdsourced data collection to develop a new generation of AI-powered, real-time intelligent maps. Announced by Natix on May 6, the alliance seeks to combine blockchain-based data with Grab’s camera hardware and advanced AI mapping technologies to deliver high-fidelity, real-time cartographic updates through decentralization and community participation. Natix highlights that this synergy between its decentralized network and GrabMaps—Grab’s internal mapping service—can transform the mapping industry by enhancing geographic information's quality and timeliness worldwide. A key innovation is VX360, a device developed by Natix on Grab’s hardware platform, distributed to Tesla drivers who will capture and share 360° images of their vehicle surroundings. These rich visual datasets will feed continuous map updates and support training data for autonomous driving systems and AI physics applications. Drivers become active contributors to this digital ecosystem, earning rewards for their data. This project challenges traditional mapping approaches, which are costly, centralized, and slow to update. Natix proposes a disruptive alternative: a global network of roadside cameras enabling users to monetize their driving data and contribute to next-generation maps. Through Solana’s DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network), users receive incentives for providing geographic data, fostering a more efficient, scalable, and inclusive mapping system. To enhance effectiveness, Natix has developed AI pipelines that extract valuable information, identifying map-relevant events such as traffic incidents and road signs to increase data accuracy and utility.

Natix’s co-founder and CEO, Alireza Ghods, noted that while some AI tools were built internally, the company plans to leverage Grab’s advanced AI capabilities to further improve the platform. This partnership coincides with Grab’s growing engagement with cryptocurrency and blockchain. In March 2024, Grab partnered with payment platform Triple-A to enable payments using five cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ether, and USDC. Supported by SoftBank, known for investing in emerging technologies like crypto and AI, Grab solidifies its role as a major tech player in Southeast Asia. Economically, the timing is favorable: Grab reported $773 million revenue in Q1 2025, an 18% year-on-year increase, affirming its robust business model and innovation prowess. By integrating blockchain, AI, and decentralized mapping, Grab positions itself as a pioneer in building smart urban ecosystems where users are both consumers and active contributors sharing in generated value. The Grab-Natix collaboration exemplifies practical applications of decentralized technology in physical infrastructure, enhancing urban services’ efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Real-time user-updated maps promise new possibilities for intelligent mobility and autonomous driving. This alliance aims not only to improve mapping quality but also to reduce costs, expand coverage, and accelerate innovation in a fast-moving sector—setting an ambitious vision that could define future smart cities.