Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, has announced a major partnership with Natix, a Solana-based decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) project. The collaboration aims to revolutionize digital mapping and autonomous driving by combining blockchain incentives with AI-powered map technologies.

Natix will integrate its DePIN model with Grab’s existing mapping platform, GrabMaps, enabling a system that rewards users for contributing real-time, high-quality mapping data. Tesla drivers will play a central role through the launch of a new VX360 device built on Grab’s hardware, capturing 360° vehicle imagery to update maps and train AI systems used in autonomous driving.

According to Natix CEO Alireza Ghods, this crowdsourced approach is cheaper and more scalable than traditional methods like Google Street View, which are costly and often outdated. Unlike centralized systems, Natix’s blockchain-backed model allows for frequent, decentralized contributions with built-in rewards. Ghods emphasized that giving users control over their data while compensating them is a major advantage over legacy platforms.

The collaboration will also use advanced AI pipelines to extract insights from contributed imagery, such as detecting roadwork, traffic signs, and accidents. Grab will bring its cutting-edge AI infrastructure to support this effort, deepening its involvement in crypto and Web3 technologies.

Grab’s partnership with Natix follows its earlier move to enable crypto payments in partnership with Triple-A. Backed by SoftBank and reporting $773 million in Q1 2025 revenue, Grab is positioning itself as a serious player in blockchain infrastructure and decentralized mapping innovation. This bold initiative could signal a shift in how the world builds and maintains real-time digital maps.