Monthly Archives: September 2015

Vanity Street Addresses

Drones, Mapping

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Map Merge will of course have a reference system, as all maps do. This is best left to the experts, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is a combo:

  • street address
  • GPS reference
  • native grid system

I would expect them to be intertwined, where any of the three can be used to refer to the same location. Maps merged. Google and Apple Maps already combine the first two.

One problem with modern map apps and GPS devices is the entry of addresses. They tend to be quite long and take time to type in. The devices are often small and typos occur.

One solution is of course speaking to an AI like Siri or Cortana. I don’t think they are anywhere close to being easier than typing yet. And ultimately, it seems people just prefer typing – they have certainly chosen texting people over phoning them.

So there is an opening for a shorthand/shortcode entry for addresses. I foresee a system modelled on domain names. Just like they are the licence for a shortcode that maps onto (hard to remember) IP addresses, vanity (or custom) street addresses can replace any of the three references above with a short name.

@robskelton can be typed into Google Maps or TomTom, and the app will know where to go because I would have purchased @robskelton for that purpose, and mapped it to where I live. I don’t know how much people or businesses would pay for this, but it could be as big as the domain name system.

I figure there could be different types of @ddresses (pronounced at dresses), because unlike domain names, the location of the person entering the @ddress can be taken into account.

Global, singular – @robskelton works for everyone in the world. Enter it into a Kiev autonomous cab, and it will say the expected journey time is 3 weeks.

Local, singular – @robskelton but only purchased for a state within Australia. I think state level works best, just like personalised car license plates. The system will choose the @robskelton for the state I am enquiring from.

Global, multiple – @macdonalds@ – the trailing @ indicates that I know it has numerous locations, and I want to go to the nearest one.

I mentioned autonomous cabs for a good reason. They will be the second use of self-driving vehicles after delivery drones, both initially in CBDs. When people climb in they will need to articulate where they want to go. I know that I would prefer to type in @macdonalds@ into a console over conversing with an AI.

Utility, monetised. And it can be pseudo-compulsory like the domain name system. When  someone wants their address to be part of the system, they will be asked how they wish to refer to it. Do they want 32SnakeHeights.Daylesford.3460AU, or @BurgerShackAU?

Ricoh Theta 360

3D / 360

The Ricoh Theta 360:

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This is a handheld video camera, not unlike the the Flip of a few years ago (which we used and loved). It takes 360 degree videos (or still shots) – easily.

From the promo videos it looks perfect, and if the tech is up to the task (good imagery, no stutter or lag) it might well be.

If there’s a bunch of folk, partying in a circle – awesome.

HOWEVER… I think enough iPhone pics have been taken in my family for me to relive the scenarios and see why 360 won’t be so great.

To take the pic or video, the implication is that everyone in a 360 degree direction is happy to be filmed. I can think of many examples where that just won’t work. For example, the barman. For example, the one person out of your group of 12 who isn’t keen – in a static pic they just move out of the way. Now you are asking them to leave the room.

The potential for others running your take is magnified. So is someone acting inappropriately or not in sync with the mood.

And of course not all of the 360 might be worth looking at. The examples used to sell such devices are ideals, not reality.

You might need a lot of takes.

But, yeah, sure – if you are skydiving, or driving a F1 car, or any situation GoPro suits, it might be great.

True Imagery for the Now

Mapping

This “upgrade” will be many years after the system launch. Instead of computer-generated recreations of the world, some people will be keen to see real imagery.

While recreating the whole world – or even entire cities – with real images will most likely never happen, it could be done on a limited basis. I can see it being used for very popular or special locations, like a town square or outside a cathedral.

Here’s the method:

  • Empty the location of people and moveable objects
  • Take a 360 degree photo
  • Move 1 cm and take another, in a grid pattern until the whole area has been photographed
  • Stitch them together with software
  • Use the photos as background for virtual visitors
  • Overlay avatars, avatar vehicles, augmented reality data and so on

I guess the improvement over existing and planned 3D visits to special places is that you will get a sense of being there Now, rather than Then.

The boffins will need to decide if this is possible over 5G in real time. You might need to download the imagery first, and then visit.