Decentralized Mapping Network
The next evolution in mapping
Maps are one of the most important human inventions, allowing us to understand our environment and navigate through it. Since their humble beginnings as cave paintings, maps have rapidly progressed as technology allowed the creation of increasingly more complex representations of the world. Commerce has always demanded better maps and now Hivemapper's decentralized mapping network makes it possible for humanity to contribute to and consume a more complete, fresh, and accessible high-quality map than ever before. Hivemapper's decentralized mapping network is the next evolution in mapping.
Today's maps are great, but far from perfect.
- Expensive for businesses - While maps are generally free for consumers, organizations pay to integrate maps into their products. With so few choices for reliable maps, monopoly pricing makes it difficult for organizations and independent developers to afford the map data needed to run their businesses.
- Uneven coverage and freshness - Given the traditionally high cost of mapping, building map coverage on a global scale is challenging even for the most well-funded companies. Consequently, maps quickly become stale and developing markets are often under-mapped.
- Data without remuneration - Maps today rely on large amounts of data generated by users. Unfortunately, private location data is quietly leveraged without compensation.
- Prone to censorship - Manipulation and censorship occurs to protect the business interests of map makers and appease governments.
The Hivemapper Network is building a new map infrastructure so that we can understand our world better and provide economic opportunities for others.
Anyone, anywhere, can permissionlessly and anonymously contribute to building an unbiased global map that reflects the current state of the world. Contributors earn HONEY in exchange for fresh, high-quality map data. As a result, maps become more accessible and dependable for organizations around the world.
The Hivemapper Network is committed to supporting an open source ecosystem, including releasing source code and materials for hardware and software projects.
The global map is divided into trillions of small hex-shaped tiles referred to as map tiles. These are the atomic unit of the Hivemapper Network's map and based on the H3 hexagonal hierarchical geospatial indexing system. Small H3 cells are intentionally used as the basis for the Hivemapper Network's map tiles to avoid issues with “partial” tile contributions.
Contributors drive along map tiles and capture 4K, street-level imagery. The imagery and associated location verification metadata is then uploaded to the Hivemapper Network to create a high-quality, dynamic map.
Example of map tiles, covered and uncovered, in various map styles.
Last modified 1mo ago