Google acquires Indian startup Sigmoid Labs, maker of “Where is my train” app 1

The team behind Indian AI startup, Sigmoid Labs, that built “Where is my train” app announced this week that it is is being acquired by Google. This is the second acquisition by Google in India. A year back it had acquired Bengaluru-based AI startup, Halli Labs.  In a brief blog post, Sigmoid Labs announced

We created the “Where is my train” app with the mission to use technology to improve the lives of millions of Indian train travellers. Over time, we’ve improved the app to make it even more convenient and useful, and we’re thrilled with the response that we’ve gotten from users. The confidence that our users have placed in us is what makes us so excited to think even bigger.

That’s why we’re excited to share that Sigmoid Labs, the team behind the “Where is my train” app, is joining Google. We can think of no better place to help us achieve our mission, and we’re excited to join Google to help bring technology and information into more people’s hands.

The App has millions of users in India, and this acquisition strengthens Google’s aggressive play for users in emerging markets. This acquisition folds into two of Google’s strategies –

• Sundar Pichai’s goal of having AI Is Everything —And Everywhere for Google
• Googles stance that startups should focus on solving India’s biggest problems

The Where Is My Train app, developed in 2016, lets its users check the live train status without the need for Internet connectivity. Sigmoid Labs was founded by five former executives of a US-based tech company, TiVo Corporation, and competes with iXigo and RailYatri.