by Matt Ball on November 22, 2011
Today, TomTom announced the addition of vehicle maintenance planning for their WEBFLEET online fleet operation tools. This combination of vehicle planning and mapping introduces some exciting possibilities for mapping and sensing, because today’s vehicles are our most highly sensored machines. TomTom’s offering helps businesses to keep an eye on maintenance in order to improve efficiency [...]
by Matt Ball on November 18, 2011
The instantly-updated map provides a sense of magic, as in the “Marauder’s Map” that is so central to Harry Potter’s edge against his pursuers. Within that fictional map context, there are details of every nook and cranny of the school grounds, including secret passages, as well as the name and location of every person in [...]
by Matt Ball on November 16, 2011
Today, Trimble announced the launch of a new service that provides large-format printed maps via MyTopo.com. The service provides tools for the custom design of areas in the U.S. and Canad with base map options, aerial imagery, and hybrid topo and aerial photo maps. The market aims at construction, surveying, agriculture and field research fields. [...]
by Matt Ball on November 14, 2011
In today’s New York Times there’s a story about the Google X secret lab that is working on 100 far-forward ideas. Within the text of the article is a discussion of robotic data collection, and the possibility that Google might deploy robots to photograph streets for Google Maps. While the article is certainly speculative about [...]
by Matt Ball on November 3, 2011
There’s an interesting interview in The European Magazine with George Dyson in which he discusses the Internet and personal computers toward human progress. There’s some discussion about computers emerging as imaginative entities. Dyson’s reply: “I am not sure whether computers are just tools. When you look at your iPhone to get directions, are you asking [...]
by Matt Ball on November 1, 2011
iOnRoad is a free Android phone application that adds a suite of in-car features, including an augmented reality app for collision avoidance. The collision detection app uses the phone’s camera to detect distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, and issues warnings when you get too close. The customizable on-screen menu provides [...]
by Matt Ball on November 1, 2011
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Apps for the Environment Challenge has announced winners. More than 100 ideas and 38 apps were created since its June start date, and more than 2,000 votes were cast. Winner, Best Overall App – Light Bulb Finder by Adam Borut and Andrea Nylund of Eco Hatchery Runner Up, Best Overall [...]
by Matt Ball on October 28, 2011
The mobile smartphone platform gets a mapmaking boost this week with new offerings from both Ericsson Labs and Nokia Beta Labs. Both focus on the mobile users’ interest in collecting data about their surroundings. Ericsson’s Map Studio offers tools to create indoor maps (Map Studio), use the maps in Android Applications (Android Map API), and [...]
by Matt Ball on October 27, 2011
The Innovative Support to Emergencies Diseases and Disasters (InSTEDD) has developed a communication tool called GeoChat for coordinating communications between relief organizations and the local community in real-time. Central to the tool is a map interface to visualize communication in context. The tool fosters interaction that maintains shared geospatial awareness of who is doing what [...]
by Matt Ball on October 26, 2011
lifeClipper is an augmented reality research project being developed by Jan Torpus at HGK in Basel, Switzerland. This outdoor GPS augmented reality tour uses high-precision GPS, a video camera, microphone, and a head mounted display to overlay the existing environment with digital details. The intent is to create an outdoor art experience that alters the [...]
