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Google Maps Platform vs Sea Machines

Google Maps Platform logo

Google Maps Platform

Software

Comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to embed Google

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sea Machines logo

Sea Machines

Software

Autonomous vessel control systems

From
$50000/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Maps Platform free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete; Sea Machines requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • They diverge on capability: Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, Sea Machines covers Autonomous control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Maps Platform and Sea Machines actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Maps Platform and Sea Machines differ
AttributeGoogle Maps PlatformSea Machines
Starting priceOn request$50000/one-time
Pricing modelfreemiumone-time
PlatformsWebEmbedded, Web, Mobile
Founded20052015

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Google Maps Platform

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in Sea Machines

  • Autonomous control
  • Remote operation
  • Collision avoidance
  • Pattern following
  • Vessel systems
  • Communication networks
  • Shore-based control
  • Embedded support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Maps Platform

  • Embedding dynamic maps, Street View and photorealistic 3D tiles in an applicationnot Sea Machines
  • Route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisationnot Sea Machines
  • Geocoding, place autocomplete and address validationnot Sea Machines
  • Environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollennot Sea Machines
  • Geospatial analytics through Earth Enginenot Sea Machines

Sea Machines

  • Intelligent voyage and transit autonomy for workboatsnot Google Maps Platform
  • Pattern autonomy for survey and repetitive route worknot Google Maps Platform
  • Collision avoidance using the AI-ris computer vision sensornot Google Maps Platform
  • Remote command and control of vessels, including in GPS denied environmentsnot Google Maps Platform
  • Fleet management and telemetry through Fleetviewer and the SMLINK APIsnot Google Maps Platform

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Google Maps Platform

  • Free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
  • Dynamic Maps cost $7.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Geocoding and the Directions API both cost $5.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Pricing is tiered by volume, so the effective unit price depends on total monthly usage and is hard to predict in advance
  • Billing is usage based with no flat plan, so a traffic spike is a cost spike

Sea Machines

  • Requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • Targeted at vessels from 10 to 300 ft, so it does not address the largest commercial tonnage
  • Pricing is not published and is arranged directly with the vendor
  • The SM300-NG is the class-approved unit, so the cheaper SM300-SP does not carry the same approval

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Maps Platform

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Maps Platform review.

Sea Machines

$50000/one-time
  • SM300$75000/one-time
    • Autonomous control
    • Collision avoidance
    • Remote operation

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Maps Platform if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
Google Maps Platform review

Choose Sea Machines if

  • You need autonomous control.
  • You work on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want remote operation.
Sea Machines review

Questions people ask

Is Google Maps Platform or Sea Machines better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Maps Platform starts at On request and Sea Machines at $50000/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Maps Platform or Sea Machines?
Google Maps Platform starts at On request and Sea Machines at $50000/one-time.
Does Google Maps Platform or Sea Machines run on more platforms?
Google Maps Platform runs on Web. Sea Machines runs on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
What is Google Maps Platform best used for?
Google Maps Platform is most often used for embedding dynamic maps, street view and photorealistic 3d tiles in an application, route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisation, geocoding, place autocomplete and address validation, environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollen. Of those, embedding dynamic maps, street view and photorealistic 3d tiles in an application and route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisation are not what Sea Machines is typically brought in for.
What can Google Maps Platform do that Sea Machines cannot?
Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Sea Machines covers Autonomous control, Remote operation, Collision avoidance, Pattern following.
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