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December 7, 2012How The Future Of Mapping Lies In Anticipatory Computing
Where we search for things is becoming just as important as what we search for. As we use maps to navigate our world, we pull from both the location and logic of places. With advances in mapping and computing, how can we bridge the gap between what we see in the real world to the world that exists online?
Bruce Daniel, the director of Cartifact Labs, recently presented his ideas for the future of mapping at Xlab 2012: Tech in Context, a design and technology conference sponsored by SEGD, the Society for Environmental Graphic Design. With Anticipatory Computing, mapping advances start to shift from responsive to predictive design. Daniel views Anticipatory Computing as being applicable to mapping because the technology delivers information the user needs without them asking for it, serving a vital need for users who will soon expect more from their mapping tools than just getting from point A to point B. At the conference, Daniel outlined ways Anticipatory Computing could be leveraged into future mapping products. Here are the key examples he brought up in his discussion:
Scale Dependent: Imagine if maps could get more detailed the closer we got to our destination. Details like event information and parking would become more apparent. Maps on a national scale would show weather patterns while local maps would show variables like traffic flows and accident information.
Movement Dependent: These maps would shift depending on our speed. For example, if we were travelling at a faster pace, less detailed information would appear, like the names of major landmarks. However, if we were going on a leisurely walk, the map would show building names, because it would know that we would be more likely to stop at these places.
Destination Chosen: If we were looking at a certain destination, the map would highlight items that were not in the field of view. These maps would show us what’s outside the frame, similar to paper maps showing insets.
Location Driven: Imagine if we were in a park, trails, contour lines, and topographic information would appear, because the map would know that information would be more relevant to us in that specific location.
Anticipatory computing reveals exciting possibilities in ways mapping will change in the future. What are your thoughts on these types of maps? Let us know in the comments section below this post.
Thank you Bruce Daniel and the Tech in Context conference for exploring these ideas!
(Source: vimeo.com)
