The Open Data Institute (ODI) recently published a report on UK’s geospatial data to address the opportunities and challenges. This report emphasizes the value of map data to autonomous technology.
The report, carried in UK, suggests that the publishing of map data owned by Apple, Google and Uber would result in major development of technologies like autonomous cars and drones.
So far, Internet giants like Google Maps, Uber… have collected a huge amount of geospatial data which shows addresses, boundaries from the services provided by this data. However, the data was not accessible to public. It is argued by the ODI that it should be considered as a part of “national infrastructure”.
The data can remarkably facilitate a bloom of transportation that brings about approximately £11 billion pounds worth of income, including access to schools or hospitals for remote areas, advancements in commercial satellites, connected cars and drones, etc.
Despite the considerable benefits, it is difficult to mandate the access to data as there is no incentive to make these firms give up their competitive advantages. The ODI recommends a politic support of the government to make it possible in the near future.
Sharing geospatial data will facilitate governments in their public services. The sixth layer of the AIWS 7-layer Model developed by the Michael Dukakis Institute is studying how to apply AI effectively to public services and policy-making.