It seems that they have a pretty good PR department and had articles about them in a lot of major newspapers around the world. If had quite a few non-techy people ask me about W3W that I wouldn't have assumed would know about them.
They pay automakers to build their engine into in-car nav systems. You can now enter w3w address into many cars directly, but not competing open systems like plus codes or xaddress or maidenhead or whatever.
I’m not sure how accurate “in most countries, if something is on a street, it has a street address” is. Even in USA, if my car breaks down while I’m going cross-country, I’d be nice to have a fast way to share location.
“I have fallen and broken my leg. I am under a rock at *thirty three point five nine six one three degrees north and one hundred and seventeen point seven nine six nine two degrees west. That’s thirty three point five nine six one three degrees north and one hundred and seventeen point seven nine six nine two degrees west.” Then wait for them to read it back to you. Then repeat that as many times as there are different people involved in the rescue.
Versus 3 word:
“I have fallen and broken my leg. I am under a rock at 3 word code: off-road — starfish — postmark.” Then wait for them to read it back to you. Then repeat that as many times as there are different people involved in the rescue.
Where I am rn, btw. (Though thankfully not my situation) And the number of decimal places more or less corresponds with the size of the 3 code and an appropriate level of precision, given the environment.