Benefitting from the fusion of HD video footage and mapping technology
Published: 14 Jul 2010
UK-based Earthware, an interactive web-based mapping solutions company, believes that one of its new offerings – being described as the world’s first cloud hosted interactive map that integrates HD aerial footage – can be of immense value to the travel sector.
Earthware recently joined hands with Skyworks to develop an offering called Avimap (Aerial Video Integrated Mapping). It integrates high definition video footage with an interactive map using Bing Maps Silverlight technology.
Recently, the companies offered web users a unique interactive experience of the FIFA World Cup stadia across South Africa through the fusion of HD video footage and mapping technology. According to Earthware, TheWorldCupMap.com featured Microsoft’s advanced Bing Maps Silverlight technology, Windows Azure cloud hosting and the latest IIS (Internet Information Services) smooth streaming video. A unique aerial view of each stadium is complemented with information about the matches and teams playing at the venues.
Skyworks is a UK-based independent production company specialising in top end high definition aerial filming.
Travel sector
Chris Finch, sales and marketing director, Earthware.co.uk and TheTechnologyStudio.co.uk, believes that the national travel and tourism agencies would benefit from integrating the Avimap experience into their existing websites.
“We have a huge array of stock footage readily available but could also use existing footage where agencies have them. I also think the tour operators, bigger hotel chains and airlines would be interested in this as it would enhance the experience for users of their websites. Pretty much any company that is offering multiple destinations and wants to offer potential clients a richer more immersive experience as they are choosing their holiday would benefit,” Finch told EyeforTravel.com.
He added, “I think it will enhance the travel planning experience immensely because most travel websites currently have maps but these tend to be fairly dull, flat experiences with click throughs to text or still photographs.”
According to Finch, with Avimap, the user gets to view their destination in HD video whilst exploring the location in much greater detail on the map. They can view the towns, houses and streets from the air or even the street (where street view is available) and the ability to overlay pretty much any information on the map allows users to tailor their own experience.
Citing an example, Finch said, “They (users) could choose to view all the latest Foursquare comments in the town they are visiting or view where the nearest restaurants are to their hotel and read reviews of them. By pulling in live feeds the information is much more current and therefore more relevant to those browsing the site. Ultimately, when people are researching a destination they want an experience as close to the real thing as possible and Avimap allows them to do that.”
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