Hivemapper Network and HONEY token launch

Hivemapper Inc. launched the Hivemapper Network, a blockchain-based decentralized global mapping network that sources and creates map coverage, and the network’s native token, HONEY, on November 3. Drivers have been using the Hivemapper Dashcam, the world’s first crypto miner dashcam to contribute 4K street-level imagery and earn HONEY tokens.

Watch the Hivemapper decentralized global map grow in the Hivemapper Mapping Network Explorer.

“Maps are a critical aspect of today’s global economy and technology infrastructure, yet only a handful of the largest technology companies control the $300 billion market,” said Ariel Seidman, CEO and Co-Founder of Hivemapper Inc., an initial contributor to the Hivemapper technology “Hivemapper was created to put mapping in the hands of the community. With Hivemapper anyone can contribute to a community-driven map that is built by all and accessible to all, and we are thrilled to be a part of the launch of the Hivemapper Network today.”

The Hivemapper Network can support companies solving location-based problems. Billions of people across the globe depend on maps every day. Whether it’s delivery services, government agencies, insurance companies, real estate services, navigation, or more, maps play an essential part in the global technology infrastructure. Currently, the high cost of mapping has resulted in a select few conglomerates monopolizing the market, resulting in both a lack of competition and coverage that is updated only every 2 years.

“If you look at hockey, the team that gets more shots on goal usually wins. If a Google Street View car passes a low lit road, they might not pass that location for another two years. Whereas if Hivemapper doesn’t get good lighting one day, it will see it another time,” said Ariel Seidman, CEO and Co-Founder of Hivemapper Inc.

With Hivemapper Dashcams, the playing field is leveled and contributors are able to create and maintain a decentralized map that has global coverage, higher-quality data, and is updated weekly. It is estimated that with their contributors, the Hivemapper Network will map a location with 24x more frequency than Google Street View. 

“The global coverage and freshness of today’s monopolized maps leave much to be desired,” said Evan Moss, CTO and Co-Founder of Hivemapper Inc. “Additionally, access to the APIs of maps currently available are prohibitively expensive, making it difficult for customers who want to integrate those map APIs into their applications. Not only do we at Hivemapper Inc. believe in the equitable decentralization of mapping networks, but open access to the Hivemapper API for all as well.” 

Once the Hivemapper Dashcam and mobile app are installed, contributors can immediately start driving and mining HONEY. Contributors can earn HONEY tokens by driving and mapping, editing the map, or conducting quality assurance.

Hivemapper’s dashcams are now available to order in two models, the Hivemapper Dashcam and the security-focused Hivemapper Dashcam S. Every Hivemapper Dashcam or Hivemapper Dashcam S pre-ordered or ordered before January 15, 2023 will receive an airdrop of 500 HONEY tokens once activated. Over 5,500 Hivemapper Dashcams have already been pre-ordered from 66 countries.

"The City of Shreveport is excited to implement Hivemapper's cost-effective and open source mapping technology to mitigate numerous problems like blight and improve the citizen experience for residents of Shreveport. By deploying Hivemapper across our fleet of garbage trucks, we'll be able to leverage near real-time street level imagery to better respond to customer service issues and provide our residents with new mapping tools," said Keith Hanson, Chief Technology Officer at City of Shreveport.

Hivemapper Inc. also announced the establishment of the Hivemapper Foundation, which will be responsible for the global proliferation of the Hivemapper Network and ongoing network tokenomics. This is an exciting early step toward creating a map of the world that truly includes all of the people of the world.

The Hivemapper Foundation announced a partnership with StreamingFast, Hivemapper’s first core developer, which will focus on data retrieval and fleet operations. Current cities that are home to Hivemapper fleets include London and San Diego.

About Hivemapper Foundation

The Hivemapper Foundation has a mission to help support and grow the Hivemapper Network and its community. Based in the Cayman Islands, the Hivemapper Foundation is working to build a decentralized global map built by all of the world's people. Using a Hivemapper compatible dashcam and a smartphone, anyone can contribute to the map and earn Hivemapper's HONEY token.

Why did you set up the Hivemapper Foundation in the Cayman Islands? 

“Hivemapper is a global company, and setting up the foundation offshore is an important early step to achieving our mission of mapping the world. We're following the path set by established players like Ethereum and setting up the foundation outside of the USA allows us to work with players from around the world more effectively. The foundation was established under the guidance of US based tax advisors to ensure compliance with tax codes,” said Carlton Robinson, Head of Finance and Administration.