What3words

What3words is a global address system founded by Jack Waley-Cohen, Chris Sheldrick, Mohan Ganesalingam, and Michael Dent in 2013.The London-based internet company developed a global address system comprised of a three-word location pinpoint service by dividing the globe into 57 trillion 3m x 3m squares. Each square is assigned a unique three-word name, making a location more accessible and faster to find on a map. What3words has partnered with other companies and organizations to develop products and integrations used in geographic tools, navigation, and delivery logistics.

What3words is a location encoding system that uses words instead of letters and numbers for algorithmic mapping and location coding. When used with the What3words app, the mobile device GPS connects to provide a three-word code for the user's location. What3words also provides a service called OneWords for business organizations, retailers, and brands with the opportunity to purchase a word or short string of words that represents their business in the What3words app. The purpose is to make searching easier and faster for users.

What3words services are accessible through an app available for download on iOS and Android mobile device systems. What3words designed the app as a tool to use for different activities, including meeting organization, location sharing, delivery planning, destination searching, and emergency support. Users can also create location lists for future reference.

The What3words app allows users to find an address or location through satellite mode, featuring a grid layout. Satellite mode allows for accuracy when using a mobile device's GPS. A user can enter the three-word What3words address and navigate the map for additional information. Upon identifying the desired location, the user can tap the square in the grid to get directions to the address. Users can share address information with others, save the address to their location list, and add photos to the address details.

Voice mode features allow users to search for a location using What3words' three-word address. A scanning feature enables users to scan a What3words address for search results. Users can save their searches by making lists in the app, including a saved locations list and a favorites list. Users can share list information with others through social media options. Language settings allow users to set their preferred language with a secondary language option.

What3words' mission is to create a product that is easy to use while finding a location with better accuracy. In following the three-word combination, the product was developed with the average consumer or someone with little technical experience in mind. It integrates into existing software with businesses and individual users through an app download. The integration includes custom codes, plugs, and other services for device platform compatibility. The service is used in navigation and mapping systems in various industries, including travel, retail, aid, and government agencies. Since the release, the service has integrated with over twenty-five apps and has 25 million users globally. Notable integrations include the following:

• What3words brand products—Featuring the company name, these products were created for personal or business use like the ArcGIS Locator used to display the three-word address of a location, What3words Sheets for Google Sheets, and the original What3words app for Android and iOS systems where people can share, save, or navigate to any location with content in forty languages. What3words also has plugins for WordPress, Excel, Mac, Shopify, and more.

• Vehicle integrations—What3words developed navigation and location services and apps for car companies, including Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, and Ford Motor Company. Such products allow users to sync travel information like directions via voice command by using three words. Users can also access maps with offline navigation services.
• E-commerce integrations—What3words developed services for various retail and restaurant companies such as Domino’s, Power Tools UK, The Stroud Wine Company, The Model Tree Shop, and more, making location and delivery services more accessible and efficient for customers.
• Developer integrations—What3words created digital tools to integrate data into software applications used to develop content. The company established over a dozen tools used as part of storefronts of online sellers and retailers. Integrations also can convert data to ensure address accuracy for businesses and customers.
• Geographic integrations—What3words developed geographic mapping tools for various companies and platforms to enhance map coordinate features. Services created help users define address information using high-tech displays, enabling efficient searching leading to the three-word address result. Services developed include custom mapping solutions for government contractors, property developers & agents, outdoor event promoters, and unique geographical locations such as Russia, Australia, Canada, Great Britain, and Indonesia.
• Accessibility integrations—What3words accessibility products are comprised of partnerships with companies to develop custom services that benefit everyone with more focus on people with disabilities. These services include helping the visually impaired find specific locations for easy navigation and accessible entrances. Special mapping features can also assist individuals with memory loss in establishing travel plans from their current location to their intended destination.
• Emergency Safety integrations—What3words emergency & safety service products include over a dozen custom services developed with government agencies and business entities. These products provide users with easy access to local emergency services while helping first responders locate a precise location where help is needed. While these products have helped people get immediate assistance, they have been under scrutiny due to location accuracy issues.

What3words has developed other custom integration products for mapping, photography, logistics, drones, and taxi ride-hailing. Photography integrations allow photographers, bloggers, and cinematographers to share photo data and search locations with three-word addresses accompanying the photo. Logistics integrations enable users to track and share locations for delivery accuracy and efficiency. Drone integrations assist with the precision of GPS coordinates, flight take-off communications, and other drone operations. Additionally, gift products are available for purchase, which allow people to personalize items such as clothing, jewelry, signs, and accessories featuring a What3words three-word address.