In efforts to improve their next generation of HERE Maps, Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) will use crowdsourcing for information. Right now, this is being tested in India.
Nokia improving HERE Maps accuracy
Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) will work with a dozen univerisities in and around India, including SAL Institute of Technology in Ahemdabad, and Mount Caramel College. This tool lets experts to offer their knowledge by using Map Creator to add missing streets and points of interest to the maps. In order to remain accurate, the HERE team built a “community map moderation system,” which allows both the company and community to verify edits right before integrating them into the base map. After the integration, the changes will show on all the maps across cars, smartphone applications, personal navigation devices, and the web.
PCWorld added, “The project in India is part of a series of pilot programs that Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) is using to enhance its community mapping capabilities. The company didn’t reveal when the capability would be rolled out on a wider scale. Nokia is far from the only vendor that wants to crowdsource mapping data. Google organized a mapping contest in India earlier this year. In August, Google updated Maps with reports on accidents, construction, road closures via users of Waze, the community-based navigation company, which it acquired in June.”
Offline updates for maps
Nokia also mentioned the company will update offline maps in increments. If a user downloads map updates, they will only download the features or roads that were changed.
Mobile technology has a demand for mobile maps. People use their smartphones and tablets for a wide variety of tasks. Mobile maps make it easy to navigate and locate areas with ease. Although Google Maps is still in the lead, other companies like Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) are trying to break ground by offering alternatives. Crowdsourcing the HERE Maps may be their best move yet.
