Ariel Seidman, the CEO of the decentralized mapping platform Hivemapper, recently sat down for an engaging interview with Cryptonews Podcast. During the conversation, he shared insights on his journey from working at Yahoo to creating a dynamic map where contributors are rewarded.
Seidman reminisced about his time at Yahoo in the early 2000s, where he learned the intricacies of map-building. He highlighted the competitive landscape between Yahoo and Google during that period, emphasizing the challenges of collecting and processing vast amounts of data to create accurate maps.
Drawing a comparison between Google Maps and Hivemapper, Seidman pointed out the limitations of the former in providing real-time updates and detailed information to users. In contrast, Hivemapper’s innovative approach involves equipping drivers with specially optimized dash cams to capture constantly evolving data, resulting in a fresher and more dynamic map.
One of the unique aspects of Hivemapper is its decentralized model, where a network of drivers and AI trainers work together to update the map in real-time. Contributors, whether drivers or AI trainers, are rewarded with Honey tokens based on their level of participation and the quality of data they provide.
Seidman also shed light on Hivemapper’s focus on three key markets: serving businesses looking for alternative mapping solutions, catering to the autonomous driving industry, and enhancing consumer navigation experiences. He emphasized the company’s commitment to continuous innovation and expansion to meet the evolving needs of its customers.
In addition to discussing Hivemapper’s growth and unique features, Seidman touched on his previous venture, Gigwalk, a location-based data collection firm. He also shared insights on the challenges of building digital maps and the importance of AI in training data and ensuring map quality.
Overall, Seidman’s interview provided a fascinating glimpse into the world of decentralized mapping and the role of AI in shaping the future of mapping technology. For more insights from the interview, you can listen to the full podcast episode here.
About Ariel Seidman:
Ariel Seidman is the CEO and Co-Founder of Hivemapper, a decentralized mapping community that leverages cutting-edge technologies to create dynamic and constantly updated maps. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Seidman is a seasoned expert in map-building and location-based data collection. Prior to Hivemapper, he founded Gigwalk, a mobile data collection firm recognized for its innovative approach to gathering location-based information. Follow us on Google News for more updates.