The following post has been adapted from Mapillary’s announcement posted on June 16, 2023.
After a long hiatus, Mapillary is launching the return of the Camera Grant Program! OpenStreetMap US is thrilled to partner with Mapillary by distributing cameras here in the US with the aim of improving the availability of 360º imagery and making it easier for the open data community to map the features we care about.
The Details
Meta has purchased twenty GoPro Max 360º cameras as well as accessories to allow capture by foot and/or vehicle.
Each camera kit comes with the following:
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GoPro Max 360º camera
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128GB microSD card
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Selfie stick with ¼” screw
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¼” screw to GoPro adapter
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Fat Gecko Triple Suction Mount
While we would like to support bicycle capture, the range of bicycle types makes a one-size-fits all bicycle mount hard to find. We welcome the purchase of bicycle mounts should the camera grant recipient choose to do so.
The GoPro Max resolution is high enough to discern street names and addresses under the right conditions.
The GoPro Max was chosen for four reasons:
- Ease of use: The GoPro Max is incredibly simple to use. Just hit record and drop the images or video into Mapillary’s Desktop Uploader.
- Form factor: The camera is lightweight and designed for action, which makes it suitable for a variety of capture scenarios you might have in mind. A lighter camera means lighter mounting equipment.
- Cost: It’s affordable, allowing us to scale up the program and get more cameras to more people.
- Image quality: While there are cameras capable of capturing a higher quality 360º image, the GoPro does a lot considering its price and form factor. Mapillary is able to derive a lot of map data from GoPro Max images including the location of sidewalks.
Objectives of the Program
In practice, this means we care about improving map data related to pedestrians such as the location and surface type of sidewalks, trails, crosswalks, curb cuts, lighting and more. To ensure the program has the greatest impact, we’re particularly interested in populated urban areas such as:
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Atlanta, Georgia
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Austin, Texas
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Boston, Massachusetts
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Chicago, Illinois
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Dallas, Texas
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Fort Worth, Texas
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Houston, Texas
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Los Angeles, California
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Miami, Florida
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New York City, New York
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Orlando, Florida
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Phoenix, Arizona
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San Antonio, Texas
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San Diego, California
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San Francisco, California
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San Jose, California
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Seattle, Washington
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Washington D.C.
In addition to these features and geographies, OpenStreetMap US is keen to see applications highlighting how these camera grants can support the use of open data in addressing issues of equity and access.
Early conversations with the mapping community indicate a strong desire to map pedestrian infrastructure. Better data in OpenStreetMap will improve the accuracy of pedestrian routing, while also drawing attention to areas that require more infrastructure investment. If you have ideas or suggestions about the program and/or pedestrian mapping projects, reach out to Mapillary via support@mapillary.zendesk.com.
Who Should Apply
You should apply if you meet the following criteria:
- Current residents of the United States.
- You have captured Mapillary sequences before. We are looking for people who understand the value of street-level imagery and how to collect accurate data.
- You have a clear idea of what you would like to do with imagery.
- You’re passionate about improving pedestrian map data such as the types we mentioned above.
- You have the time to use the camera and/or are part of a community that could use the camera on a regular basis.
How To Apply
You can apply for a camera by filling out this application form. Note that there are limited cameras available and we will not be able to meet every request. If the cameras are getting used and improving 360º imagery coverage and pedestrian data, there may be opportunities for scaling up the program, making more cameras available.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis until all twenty applicants have been accepted. Selection criteria and granting decisions will be made by OpenStreetMap US staff with input from Mapillary and selected community members.
This grant program is made possible with the support of Meta.
