LiDAR News poses the question: if it’s legal to photograph public places, is it legal to 3D laser scan public places, too? And what are the ramifications of doing so? There is a discussion underway, so feel free to chime in!
The Map Room points us to a story recently run on Tech President about the popularity of online mapping to support news stories and other causes, including interviews with eight different people that make these online maps.
If there are any history buffs in the audience, then Google Maps Mania recommends you visit Omnes Viae: Itinerarium Romanum. It’s basically a Google map that allows you to plan your journey across ancient Rome, as if you were in some pseudo-steampunk computer-powered version of the world’s greatest empire.
Conversely, if you’ve a history of being in the buff (HA!), then perhaps this next map pointed out to us by Google Maps Mania is of more interest to you. It’s called I Just Made Love, and it maps, well… I’m sure you can guess what it maps. It has an accompanying iPhone/Android app, so you don’t have to pull out your laptop to tell the world what you just did. No guarantees that your significant other will find it as amusing as you do, so, be discreet.
On a much more serious note, Got Geoint has a post on a new iPhone/iPad app that can help save lives. The idea is for anyone trained in CPR to download the app. When an emergency call is placed where someone needs CPR, any app users in the area are instantly notified, and given a map guiding them to the person in need, saving vital time before paramedics can arrive on the scene. A truly wonderful use of location information, but, sadly, not one that works in Australia just yet. How long until Australian emergency services can implement a similar app is anyone’s guess.
And, finally, Spatial Sustain have a post about the role that robotics will play in the future of mapmaking.
Until next week, my spatial friends!
