Creating a global decentralized map easily with Hivemapper
In today’s connected world GIS (Geographic Information System) technologies are becoming more and more important and digital maps – more and more accurate, detailed, and accessible. Compared to traditional paper maps they are more dynamic, interactive, and personalized, adapting to the needs and preferences of different types of users and stakeholders.
Digital maps are here to stay and many argue that the next stage in their evolution is decentralization. The technologies for this change are already available – mobile connectivity is everywhere arround us and open blockchain platforms are here to make the process transparent and easy to manage.
Today we are already talking about DePINs – new generation of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks, created for various purposes like wireless connectivity, file storage, cloud computing, sharing sensor information, managing energy networks and yes – even for creating maps and GIS platforms.
Enter the Hivemapper
This is a global decentralized digital map, built by ordinary people using the world’s first crypto-enabled dashcam devices. This is a new way of mining cryptocurrency and represents a fundamental shift in how maps are built.
The project’s name comes from the similarities with a beehive – thousands of bees flying around, collecting nectar from flowers, and makeing honey. Similarly, Hivemapper create a global map with the help of thousands of people who use a dashcam to take pictures of the world while they drive. Contributors can be taxi drivers, delivery drivers, fleet owners, GIS enthusiasts, mapping hobbyists, and truck drivers.
How is it working?
The community members can map through a dashcam anywhere, but they can earn a reward for doing it only in certain cities. By enriching the global digital map, they receive a crypto token called HONEY. It’s a digital currency that can be exchanged or traded. Exchanging HONEY tokens is the only way to gain access to the valuable map data on Hivemapper.
Hivemapper uses Helium for location verification
When drivers from around the world collect road imagery, it’s critical to trust the data they gather for the Hivemapper platform. Trust in location data requires multiple independent data sources to verify that the latitude and longitude coordinates uploaded to the network are correct. This is where Helium comes in.
The Helium network enhances the accuracy of the digital maps by offering an additional source for verifying dashcams location. Thus the network contributes to the level of interactivity and personalization. Also both projects share the same values like decentralization, transparency and open technologies. And both are expanding very rapidly.
Hivemapper uses Helium hotspot miners as one of several sources for location verification, along with data from satellite positioning systems. It’s important to note that the Hivemapper foundation pays the fees for access to the Helium network, not the dashcam owners.
How can you participate?
To join the Hivemapper community, you just need to take a few easy steps:
- Get a dashcam and install it in your car. This is how you take pictures.
- Install the Hivemapper app on your phone (iOS, Android). This is how you collect pictures from your dashcam and transfer them to Hivemapper.
- Install the Phantom app on your phone. This is how you create a wallet to get into Hivemapper.
- Get the Discord app and join project’s server so you can chat with the hive.
- Track your progress on the Hivemapper Explorer website.