Micromobility entity Spin, owned by American automobile giant Ford, has reportedly announced an integration with Google Maps.
Through the mobile application, Google Maps users will be able to find the nearest Spin e-bike or e-scooter available in real-time, along with showing the time it will take to walk to the vehicle, the battery range and expected time of arrival. In order to pay for the service, unlock the ride and use it, users will be diverted to Spin’s application. The platform will be available for Google Map users in nearly 84 cities, and campuses in North America and Europe.
As per a statement by Ben Bear, CEO, Spin, the entity is aiming at enhancing the convenience for people to move around with alternative transportation options like buses, scooters, public transportation, and bikes, as it is getting around with cars. The availability of Spin scooters will show on the Google Maps application when users choose the bicycle option after looking for directions to their desired location.
It is worth mentioning that Spin is the latest among major e-scooter firms to combine its offerings with Google Maps. Based on the city, the navigation app also includes the available bike-share, public schedule timing, prices for using Lyft and Uber rides.
Google’s parent company, Alphabet is an investor in Lime, Spin’s top competitor, having invested USD 170 million in the scooter firm in May’20. Under the deal, Lime acquired Jump- Uber’s bike and scooter sharing firm.
For the record, Spin is already integrated into platforms like Moovit, Citymapper, Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe, and Transit.
The news comes soon after Spin announced the addition of e-bikes to the mix, along with its focus on trying to capture the market through exclusive or semi-exclusive city partnerships. The latest integration with Google will help Spin expand its operations to more cities in coming times.
Source Credits:
https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/16/22627008/spin-electric-scooter-google-maps-integration