Maps make the world go round – and it’s time to take mapping to a whole new level. Early stage innovators are building a blockchain-based decentralized global mapping network that collects fresher, high resolution, and relevant map data in a more cost-effective way.

I Use Google Maps … Why Decentralized Maps?

Today, systems for consumer street maps are controlled almost entirely by Apple and Google. 

According to some sources, Google controls nearly 80% of the $300 billion mapping market.

The two tech companies each spend billions of dollars developing and maintaining their maps. 

For Google, the maps business represents a multi-billion dollar business opportunity to sell ads and data. For Apple, their maps business allows them to be less reliant on Google.

The two companies have the majority of the market share because no one else has the resources to compete effectively. 

For example, many of the updates that are made to these maps are collected by the ‘streetview’ cars that drive around and capture video recordings of the latest conditions.

However, operating these streetview cars requires paying drivers 12 hours a day to map roads with expensive specialized equipment.

Because of the high cost, Google and Apple do not regularly update their maps, resulting in inaccurate information and poor user experience.

What Are Decentralized Maps?

A confluence of technological advancements has set the stage for a blockchain-based global mapping network. Blockchain infrastructure provides built-in economic incentives to promote coverage where it matters to consumers, while keeping contributors anonymous. High quality 4K dashcams are widely available for only $200 and can be connected to software for efficient collection. The cost of machine vision compute cycles has dramatically decreased. Thanks to these improvements it is now possible to build and scale a high resolution, constantly updating, blockchain-based mapping network.

An Innovator In Decentralized Maps Space

Hivemapper is provider of a real-time community-edited map for drones.

Provider of a real-time community-edited map for drones. The company has built a drone platform community-edited mapping tool that allows users to capture and share new waypoints and builds safe roads and highways for drones by connecting waypoints together. The application also comprises an augmented reality feature that allows the pilots to fly and get alerts for nearby buildings or obstructions in real-time. The company, to date, claims to have mapped multiple users. It uses blockchain technology. The application is compatible with both Android and iOS devices and supports the DJI Phantom 3, Phantom 2, and Inspire 1.

How Is Hivemapper Better Than Google Maps?

These are the exact questions a new cryptocurrency project called Hivemapper is asking its users.

In addition to an innovative alternative to centralized Google Maps, what if you could make money doing something you already do every day? More importantly, what if by getting involved early, you also had the opportunity to realize substantial upside in the long term?

Hivemapper aspires to create the world’s most accurate mapping platform.

Hivemapper aims to disrupt this control by using ordinary drivers to build its maps. 

The way it works is simple. 

Hivemapper contributors purchase a special dashcam which they can install facing forward or on the side window of their car. As they drive around, contributors passively earn Hivemapper’s cryptocurrency, called Honey, for contributing data. 

Contributors have the option to either convert their Honey into immediate cash or hold onto the Honey as an investment for the long term.  

As Hivemapper’s database grows, users of Hivemapper data (including insurance companies, real estate services, logistics companies, and governmental organizations) will need to pay using Honey to access Hivemapper’s database of high-quality, up to date, data. 

Best of all, because Hivemapper is so new, the earliest users will likely receive the largest rewards for contributing to the platform. 

In time, Hivemapper intends to collect other types of local data – such as weather, traffic, or wireless network coverage data. 

Hivemapper has an impressive list of early investors and board members, including the founder of Helium, the founder of Masterclass, the founders of Solana, a former CEO of Tinder, and a former Apple Maps executive.

Already, early Hivemapper testers have extensively mapped Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas Fort Worth, London, and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). According to the company, test users in Los Angeles are collectively updating 30% of the map each month. 

In Summary..

The key to expanding Hivemapper’s coverage is rapidly growing a global network of contributors. They’re addressing this challenge by reducing barriers to entry for contributors. Hivemapper currently supporting the BlackVue dashcam and will be launching the Hivemapper Open Dashcam in the spring of 2022.

At the current rate, the company believes that within a few years time, many of the most highly traveled routes will be updated on a nearly weekly basis!

Users can now pre-order the hivemapper device at www.hivemapper.com to be among the first to begin earning Honey in their neighborhood when the service launches later this year. 

Related Reading: Connected Vehicles + Web 3.0 = Drive2Earn Opportunity

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