Motorcycle riders in Indonesia need specific navigation systems, HERE Technologies says

Navigation apps widely used in Southeast Asia fail to fully grasp the needs of motorcycle riders, according to HERE Technologies. The technology company observed that the majority of these applications prioritize cars, with only a few adapting their systems for two-wheeled vehicles.

Abhijit Sengupta, General Manager for Southeast Asia and India at HERE Technologies, noted that Indonesian motorcycle riders typically rely on mobile-based navigation apps, including those integrated with ride-hailing and delivery platforms, alongside standalone navigation applications. "While navigation apps are widely used in Southeast Asia, many are designed with a focus on cars, and only some of these applications adapt their systems for two-wheeled vehicles," he told Tempo on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

Sengupta highlighted a rising demand for navigation systems specifically designed for motorcycles, particularly in markets like Indonesia with a substantial number of scooter users. HERE perceives an opportunity to partner with various stakeholders and policymakers to enhance the quality of two-wheeler navigation services. These collaborations could involve providing more accurate data, superior route determination logic, and location intelligence better suited to real-world conditions.

A recent HERE Technologies study, "Inside the Two-Wheeler Landscape in APAC: Key Trends and Rider Behaviors," also revealed differences in motorcycle rider behavior between Jakarta and other Indonesian cities. Sengupta explained that Jakarta experiences significantly higher traffic density but features clearly marked motorcycle lanes on major arterial roads. These lanes allow two-wheelers to move more freely at relatively higher speeds, separating them from cars and trucks. This contrasts with other Indonesian cities where motorcycles tend to mix more with other vehicles, leading to less predictable movement patterns and slower overall traffic flow. "These differences further underscore the importance of locally adapted data and models to improve route accuracy and overall navigation performance," Sengupta stated.