Crowdsourcing may as well be the word and innovation of the year as many companies have embraced it, Mapillary being one of them. Mapillary is crowdsourcing map locations and street view pictures to make for a more complete map.
Google maps has become the go-to for urban and even global maps. While Google maps is incredibly powerful and useful, it doesn't catch everything. Mapillary is looking to fill in the patches that Google has missed with its flagship app.
The app is very simple. Users take photos of locations that they cannot find on Google maps and they upload it directly to Mapillary. With the ability to crowdsource the images users will never get lost or be devoid of direction when travelling ever again. All users need to use the app is a smartphone.
Map-Patching Social Apps
Mapillary is an App That Fills in the Gaps for Google Maps
Trend Themes
1. Crowdsourced Mapping - Opportunity for businesses to create platforms that allow users to contribute location and map data, filling in gaps in existing mapping services.
2. User-generated Street View - Potential for companies to develop apps or features that enable users to capture street-level imagery to enhance map services.
3. Mobile Mapping Apps - Emerging market for mobile applications that provide comprehensive and up-to-date mapping capabilities, leveraging crowdsourcing to improve accuracy.
Industry Implications
1. Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity for tech companies to develop advanced mapping platforms that rely on crowdsourced data for enhanced accuracy.
2. Travel and Navigation - Huge potential for travel companies and navigation service providers to integrate crowdsourced mapping data into their offerings, providing more reliable directions to users.
3. Real Estate - Opportunity for real estate companies to leverage user-generated street view images for virtual property tours, giving potential buyers a more immersive experience.