Ride-hailing start-up LEFA is set to commence with a ground-breaking project in collaboration with global tech giant, Google to map Namibia’s extensive road network.
According to Melkies Ausiku, the Founder and General Manager at LEFA, for the next 6 to 12 months, a data collection bakkie will crisscross the country equipped with a camera system, capturing imagery that will later be stitched together to create a full 360-degree picture of Namibia.
“Tourists planning to visit Namibia can explore points of interest and plan their route based on interesting places along the way. Over the longer term, researchers and environmentalists can easily monitor changes in landscapes, habitats, and ecosystems. From an educational standpoint, teachers can use this tool to show students what other cities and towns around Namibia look like,” Ausiku said.
“With street views of buildings and public spaces, people with mobility challenges can plan their journeys. Entrepreneurs and other businesspeople can also identify potential locations for future business ventures or developments.”
He said collaboration would enable the start-up to enhance its technical knowledge regarding the integration of systems and increase Namibia’s visibility to the world.
Google Street View is a feature of Google Maps and Google Earth that provides panoramic, 360-degree imagery of streets, roads, and locations in various parts of the world.
