KartaView

KartaView
Author:	Grab
License:	proprietary (server backend, recent version of apps), CC-BY-SA (images), MIT (obsolete part of apps/web from 2017, and commandline tools) (free of charge)
Platforms:	Web, Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows
Version:	5.9.6 (Android), 5.0.1 (iPhone) (2024-05-31)
Languages:	Catalan, German, English, Spanish, French, and Hungarian
Website:	kartaview.org/landing
Install:	Google Play App Store
Source code:	kartaview GitHub
Programming languages:	Objective-C, C, and TypeScript
Collect free and open street level imagery

KartaView, formerly OpenStreetCam and OpenStreetView is a platform for collecting and providing free and open street level imagery. It provides a web site, proprietary Android and iOS apps, uploading tools, and a dedicated map editor. It was built by Telenav and then transferred to Grab in December 2019 .

It consists of a web site, proprietary mobile apps, a JOSM plugin, uploading tools and a server back end.

Web Site

The web site shows the current coverage on a map and lets the mapper:

• Log in using their OSM user name
• Explore coverage
• Flag images for review
• Delete their own uploaded trips or images
• Manually add sign recognitions
• Open an image location in JOSM

Software

Apps

The Android and iOS apps for capturing and uploading imagery are available in the Play Store and App Store respectively. See the links in the sidebar. They are free of charge to download and use. The Android application can also be downloaded directly from the web site for those who do not want to use the Play Store.

The apps are optimized for driving but can also be used for biking and walking around. If you use the apps while driving it is best to use a good car mount.

The source code for the apps can be found on Github, but is outdated and not maintained there. Source code lacks code for some functionality that is critical for usability of the application. See the sidebar for links.

JOSM plugin

See JOSM/Plugins/KartaView.

Uploading tools

It has a GUI as well as a command line (Python-based) for uploading imagery. The tools can handle imagery that has at least a longitude and latitude EXIF header. They will also handle directories copied from the mobile device captured with the apps.

Official python upload tools: GitHub page

There is also a unofficial GUI Upload tool coded by wiki user James2432 (talk) OSM User LogicalViolinist: OSVUploadr

Downloading tools

As of June 2020, there are no batch downloading possibilities available. (but see Image transfer tool for synchronization between Mapillary and KartaView [defunct in 2023])

Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions are available at: Terms, Privacy Policy.

License

The images on KartaView can be used under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC-BY-SA-4.0).

Devices and accessories

Car mounting

See KartaView/Car Mounts for a list of mounting devices allowing capturing stable photos within vehicles using smartphones or tablets.

OBD2

The apps optionally connect to an OBD2 dongle in the car. The apps read speed information to enable more accurate traces and dead reckoning in tunnels and other GPS-challenged locations. See KartaView/OBD2 for a list of compatible dongles, and add your own.

History

Originally launched with the name "OpenStreetView" (in fact replacing a previous incarnation which was started in 2009 by John McKerrell), John transferred the domain name openstreetview.org to Telenav, under the condition that the new project would have the same openness and that existing users' images would be transferred upon request. OpenStreetView was later renamed to OpenStreetCam and then KartaView.

Videos

• OpenStreetCam on State of the Map 2016, Day 3 (Belgium) (the beginning of video misses audio)

See also

• KartaView on Github
• Talk by Alex Illisei & Martjin van Exel @ SOTMUS 2016
• List of OSM-based services

Similar services

• Street-level imagery services
• GeoVisio, mostly known as Panoramax.
• OpenStreetView (2009)
• Google Streetview
• Mapillary
• Mapilio