The future of digital maps: Hivemapper, Helium and the role of the community
Mapping is an important process for creating accurate and up-to-date maps of the world, which can be used for various purposes, such as navigation, planning, analysis, education and entertainment. Traditionally, mapping has been done by specialized organizations, such as government agencies, huge private companies or scientific institutes, which have the necessary resources, technologies and expertise.
However, in recent years, a new trend has emerged in this important field, which aims to democratize the process, by involving the community in the collection and processing of geographic data. This trend is supported by the development of new technologies, such as blockchain, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and cloud services, providing new opportunities for creating decentralized, transparent and secure mapping platforms.
The Hivemapper project
A very interesting example is Hivemapper – a decentralized blockchain based network, trying to create a global map with the help of a large community of drivers, who use special cameras, connected to the internet. Hivemapper is based on blockchain technology, which guarantees that the data collected by the cameras is immutable, verifiable and protected from abuse. The platform also encourages the participation of the community, by providing a cryptocurrency, called HONEY, to the drivers. You got it right – the bees work for the hive and produce … honey. 🙂
In March Hivemapper team announced that the project has passed an important milestone, collecting 1 million kilometers (over 600 000 miles) of street imagery. And they did it in just three months. It’s another example of the speed that a decentralized network relying on citizens, can achieve.
The Helium project
Speaking of speed and rapid spread, let’s talk about Helium. As many of our readers know, that’s a global decentralized wireless IoT ready network, created by a community of ordinary people. Everybody can participate installing a special device, called Helium hotspot miner, in their homes or offices.
What is the difference between Hivemapper and Helium
Those two blockchain – based DePIN projects share common values and vision – to create networks and platforms, owned by ordinary people. But they are very different. Primarily Hivemapper focuses on creating detailed and up-to-date maps of the world, by using data from car cameras, while Helium focuses on creating a global wireless network for different IoT purposes.
Also Hivemapper uses artificial intelligence for processing the data and creating maps, while Helium uses Proof of Coverage algorithm for verifying the data and maintaining the network.
Hivemapper provides a cryptocurrency, called HONEY, which is given to the drivers for mapping the world arround them, while Helium provides a cryptocurrency, called HNT, which is given to the hotspot miner owners in exchange for providing coverage.
Hivemapper is using the Helium network for location verification of Hivemapper cameras, which increases the accuracy of the mapping process.
The future of decentralized mapping
looks exciting, as it is expected that the community will play an increasingly important role in creating and improving the maps of the world. Citizens can contribute not only with data and images, but also with ideas, opinions, evaluations and collaboration, which can enrich the mapping process and make it more open, dynamic and democratic.
Blockchain technology can be a powerful tool for supporting this trend, by providing a platform for storing, verifying and distributing geographic data, which is protected from manipulation, censorship and abuse. It can also provide incentives and rewards for the participants, by giving them the opportunity to earn cryptocurrency, which can be used for various purposes.
This technology can lead to greater transparency, accountability and trust in the digital maps, which can have a positive impact on the environment, society and economy. The up-to-dateness of the map data is also an extremely important factor. Large companies like Google invest significant resources in the mapping process and this limits the frequency with which maps are updated. While involving citizens in the process enables a small player like Hivemapper to provide much more relevant and fresh content.