Ed Parsons, Google's Geospatial Technologist, Joins Waymap

London, 17 June 2025

Waymap is delighted to announce that Ed Parsons, a globally–renowned expert in digital mapping technology and location-based systems, has joined the company as Technical Advisor to the Board. Ed joins Waymap from Google, where he spent 18 years as the firm’s Geospatial Technologist, taking a leading role in the firm’s rapid growth in geo. Ed was responsible for evangelising Google’s mission to organise the world’s information using geography, and driving growth for well-known tools such as Google Earth, Google Maps and Google Maps for Mobile. “My passion for geospatial technology is well-known,” said Ed, “but I’m also very committed to driving greater accessibility. That’s why Waymap’s mission resonates so strongly with me.” “Waymap is at the forefront of a new wave of personal navigation, with a crucial focus on precision for pedestrians, especially in challenging indoor environments and the crucial “last ten metres”,” added Ed. “What truly excites me about Waymap is their approach to solving “valuable but difficult problems” by breaking new ground to make personal navigation truly accessible and precise for all, thereby delivering significant social benefits.” Celso Zuccollo, Waymap’s CEO, said: “We’re really excited to be working with Ed, who is one of the world’s leading experts in digital mapping technology and location-based systems. He brings cutting-edge technical expertise and a deep understanding of how personal navigation technology can transform accessibility. He also has excellent commercial experience and a track record of building very successful partnerships.” Waymap, the highly-accurate personal navigation app, works indoors, outdoors and underground. It provides accessible step-by-step audio and on-screen instructions, using the motion sensors in your phone and digital maps. Waymap’s core system doesn’t require access to GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth or mobile data. Waymap is live in transport hubs, shopping malls, government buildings, concert venues and universities in 11 cities across four continents. In February 2025 it launched across the whole of Press release Washington D.C.’s public transport system, including 98 rail stations, 325 bus routes and more than 11,000 bus stops. It also has live projects in London, Los Angeles and Singapore. The company was founded in London in 2017 by Tom Pey, a former banker who unexpectedly became blind aged 39, due to the delayed effects of a childhood accident. During his career at Google Ed’s work included technology strategy and stakeholder engagement. He supported the development of geospatial technology through maintaining links with commercial partners, universities, and research and standards organisations. He played a leading role in launching Google Maps Street View in Europe; and also in creating a new template for geospatial standards development, bringing together the World Wide Web Consortium and the Open Geospatial Consortium. He also had a key role in the European deployment of life-saving mobile phone technology that automatically shares a caller's location with emergency services. Ed was awarded the inaugural "Professional Geography Award" by the Royal Geographical Society in 2024 and is a Visiting Professor at University College London. Earlier in his career Ed was the first Chief Technology Officer in the 200-year-old history of Ordnance Survey. His expertise includes geospatial data and artificial intelligence; enterprise geographic information systems; remote sensing; positioning navigation and timing; spatial analysis; data visualisation; urban planning and public transport. About Waymap Waymap is an accessible, highly-accurate personal navigation app that works indoors, outdoors and deep underground. Whether navigating directly to your underground platform, around a shopping centre, a stadium, a university campus or on and off your bus, Waymap is the world’s most precise navigation app. Initially designed for people with vision impairments, Waymap supports greater accessibility and mobility in complex city spaces. Founded in 2017, it now operates in 11 cities including Washington D.C., London, Los Angeles and Singapore. Learn more at waymapnav.com. For more information please contact atendimento@grupocasa.com.br