Microsoft wants us all to be able to make our own maps

Microsoft released new technology Tuesday that it says would allow users to take existing road maps and satellite imagery, and overlay it with specialized maps to create imagery for their specific needs. The technology has been made available as a free download called MapCruncher.

The project was the brainchild of Microsoft researchers Jon Howell and Jeremy Elson. The two, which are avid cyclists, thought of the idea after looking at a cycling map of King County in Washington State, USA, for routes to work.

However, one of the routes appeared to be interrupted by a motorway. After using TerraServer, they discovered that the freeway could be crossed via a pedestrian bridge. "In fact," Elson says, "I use this route all the time now."

Read the full story (BetaNews)