The newly launched MapGPT AI assistant service is redefining the driving experience through an innovative and hands-free approach to navigation and assistance. In this post, I share answers to the top 5 questions about MapGPT so far, and share some behind-the-scenes insight into the how and why of MapGPT development. 

What is MapGPT exactly?

MapGPT is a service for building custom conversational AI assistants that are especially skilled at accounting for location information, navigation services, and compatibility with automotive systems when integrated into in-vehicle software. MapGPT combines Large Language Model (LLM) technology with Mapbox Location Services to support users in various aspects of their on-the-go experiences.

MapGPT is not a consumer application in and of itself. It is designed to be used by developers and automakers to add their own customized, location-intelligent AI assistants into applications and vehicles. MapGPT provides next-level voice assistant functionality right out of the box, making this technology more accessible to developers, businesses, and automakers alike.

Why did Mapbox launch MapGPT?

Despite all the excitement around AI today, many applications of AI face a big limitation: training data is scraped from the internet. That is because the real world is such a difficult thing to get training data for. Restaurants and stores are constantly opening, moving, closing, and changing their business hours. Traffic changes–we build new roads, close old ones. General purpose AI assistants struggle to keep up with this change because they need access to ever-changing data. This is the challenge that Mapbox is well-positioned to solve for, because we’ve already built that living location data platform. 

We’ve built with AI technologies for years in our backend data platform. With MapGPT, we’re bringing AI technologies to the frontend to provide our customers with new opportunities to redefine how people interact with maps.

You might be wondering, why isn’t Mapbox launching our own consumer application with MapGPT? It comes back to our core mission. Mapbox is focused on equipping companies and developers across all industries with technologies to revolutionize how they and their customers use navigation and location data. Our goal is not to compete to have the one ultimate navigation application. Instead, we want to enable excellent navigation experiences across all applications, whether it’s your in-car system, your company’s custom delivery driver app, or in your favorite mobile application that is tailored to your particular navigation interests.

What makes MapGPT different from other voice assistants?

First and foremost, MapGPT is an AI assistant built on a foundation of live-updating location data. So the primary differentiator is the degree of location-intelligence that MapGPT can tap into, in combination with broader LLM technology and general knowledge. MapGPT is the first AI assistant capable of having in-depth conversations about directions, restaurants, landmarks, the road network, and other highly dynamic aspects of the world, constantly updated from the live data and over 160 data sources woven together into the Mapbox platform.

Second, MapGPT is different from conventional assistants that you might be familiar with in your home or your car because of how natural the conversation can be with MapGPT. Users don’t need to formulate precise or complete commands that match up with a database of preprogrammed responses. MapGPT is able to interpret partial information, respond to open-ended questions, and engage in conversation. You don’t have to learn the ‘language’ of your assistant to have it reliably understand you.

MapGPT is also unusual in its unparalleled customization options for developers. MapGPT is not a one-size-fits-all solution, it is a service - a foundation upon which developers have the freedom to craft a unique voice assistant with a custom name, avatar, wake word, personality, and voice. You can build a brand's identity into the voice assistant, and tailor it to a particular user audience. MapGPT is also designed to be modular, so developers can add swap out components or add-in third party integrations based on what types of actions they want their assistant to be able to do.

Who is MapGPT for?

MapGPT is designed for a diverse range of builders across distinct industries and types of applications. For Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive and mobility sectors, the MapGPT service equips them to seamlessly integrate intelligent, voice-powered assistants into connected vehicles. The focus on automotive-specific functionalities, such as hands-free navigation, location-based recommendations, and integration with vehicle data like battery status and temperature, positions MapGPT as the ideal tool for enhancing in-car experiences.

Beyond automotive, MapGPT opens up new possibilities for app developers working with navigation and location-based services. We foresee that custom AI assistants will become an increasingly sought-after app feature to elevate usability and appeal in competitive app markets. While it is still early days with MapGPT still in beta, we are engaging with companies and developers across numerous industries to explore creative applications of MapGPT.

What are the coolest things that end users can do with MapGPT?

To be honest, we’re still discovering that! Because MapGPT is so customizable, and supports free-flowing conversation, there are so many scenarios to try out. We know MapGPT works very well at making personalized recommendations for restaurants, coffee spots, parks, and businesses, and even activities within a nearby area or along a route. And what’s especially neat is that the recommendation process can be iterative - you can ask MapGPT why it recommended something and then adjust the parameters that it considers to further refine recommendations. For example, suggestions can be tailored to not only be about proximity and travel time, but also based on user preferences and specific situations, whether that be going on a family-friendly outing, planning a romantic date, or choosing an activity near the closest EV charging station.

Something that is especially intriguing is the possibility of enabling MapGPT to be a proactive assistant, running in the background to help anticipate needs or future questions. Such as warning you about a change in the weather at your planned destination. Or perhaps remembering information about places that you visit or pass by to help you recall locations from an outing. Or, imagine MapGPT keeping track of your fuel, battery level, how long you’ve been driving, how much longer you have in your route, and your driving behavior in order to chime in with suggested places to stop for a break. No more last minute ‘search along route’ queries after you’ve already passed the last open cafe!

I’ll end by saying that we’re very excited to be working with customers to fully understand all the ways in which MapGPT can add value for their particular users. There is still so much to discover in terms of the intersection of location intelligence and AI, and I can’t think of a better way of exploring that than in partnership with our customers.

To get started building with MapGPT, please connect with Ilya and the team by submitting this form.