Telenav releases OpenStreetView, an automotive-integrated open source platform designed to accelerate the advancement of OpenStreetMap

Sep. 22, 2016 08:00AM EST

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 22, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Telenav®, Inc. (NASDAQ:TNAV), a leader in connected car and location-based services today announced the availability of OpenStreetView (OSV), a free open source platform designed to accelerate the advancement of OpenStreetMap® (OSM). The platform includes free iOS and Android apps with optional auto OBD-II integration and web tools to equip drivers and the nearly three million global OSM editors.

OpenStreetView uses image recognition that leverages computer vision to detect critical road data and attributes from street-level imagery through the driver’s dash-mounted smartphone or camera. The details captured include speed limit signs, lane information and road curvature. Understanding the importance of visual privacy, OpenStreetView automatically blurs faces and license plates.

The addition of OBD-II integration brings more accuracy through car sensor data. OpenStreetView tracks live speed data and wheel position to augment GPS positioning, allowing our dead reckoning software to generate more accurate locations, paths and trip routes, especially in areas of lost GPS coverage such as tunnels, canyons, under dense tree coverage and among tall buildings.

“OpenStreetView is supporting the rapid evolution of OpenStreetMap, leveraging standard devices such as mobile phones and elevating map making beyond simple mapping and pure navigation,” said Philipp Kandal, VP of Automotive Engineering and OSM for Telenav. “Driving is evolving from an action to an experience, and OpenStreetMap is fast becoming a viable option for automotive-grade navigation in the connected car.”

“We are very excited about the results that have been produced in the past year of the OpenStreetView private beta,” said Alex Ilisei, Product Lead for Telenav OpenStreetView. “Telenav has been a key supporter of the OpenStreetMap community for the last five years, and we’re looking forward to the potential of the data that will be captured by the community at large.”

After less than one year of development, OpenStreetView has achieved significant results:

8.3 million images have been uploaded, averaging 100 thousand images per day
142 thousand total miles have been covered
52 thousand unique miles have been covered

The OpenStreetView platform, which was inspired by the OpenStreetView website created in 2009 by OSM community member John McKerrell, is one of several OSM improvement initiatives developed by Telenav. Telenav also developed Maproulette.org, a gamified way to parse out small tasks for mappers to fix, and Improveosm.org, a big data resource where Telenav has collected billions of GPS traces that correspond to hidden areas including missing roads.

The free OpenStreetView app is available at the Apple App Store and the Android Play Store.

The OpenStreetView team will be at State of the Map 2016 - Brussels, September 23 – 25, where Martijn Van Exel, OpenStreetMap Community Lead at Telenav and board member of the OSM US Chapter, and other Telenav OSM team members, will present sessions on OpenStreetView and the other Telenav OSM enhancement initiatives.

Video: Catch the Telenav OpenStreetView team at State of the Map Seattle.

About OpenStreetView

Optimized for drivers, and available for cyclists and walkers, OpenStreetView is a free and open platform for street-level imagery that enables mappers to take the wheel. OpenStreetView includes OBD-II integration with the car for advanced data collection, and is compatible with major OSM online tools and editors. Mapper tools include JOSM and OpenStreetView map editor. With OpenStreetView, it is easy to capture images and road data to be uploaded to OSM and ready for editing. The platform includes free iOS and Android apps and open source web tools.

About Telenav

Telenav is a leading provider of connected car and location-based platform services, focused on transforming life on the go for people — before, during, and after every drive. Leveraging our location platform, global brands such as Ford, GM, Toyota and AT&T deliver custom connected car and mobile experiences. Additionally, advertisers such as Nissan, Denny's, Walmart, and Best Buy reach millions of users with our highly-targeted advertising platform. To learn more about how Telenav's location platform powers personalized navigation, mapping, big data intelligence, social driving, and location-based ads, visit www.telenav.com.

CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT: Sherbeam WrightTelenav, Inc.415.539.5321sherbeamw@telenav.com