Proto : What’s next year like ?
As we approach the end of the year, it’s an interesting moment for us at Proto to pause and look back at our journey through 2023. It’s been a year marked by steady progress, learning, and tangible work.
Our focus has always been on empowering mappers and contributing to the field. This year, we’ve taken significant steps towards realizing these goals.
From the initial release of our map data contribution app to the development of additional tools for the GIS community, each step has been a building block in our mission to redefine how mapping and geospatial data are interacted with and utilized. In this blog apart from the specifics of our journey — we wanna talk about what we’ll bring to you next year. We aim to share not just our work but our vision for the future, setting the stage for what’s to come next.
What was 2023 about ?
2023 year has been pivotal in shaping our trajectory. We both launched and refined ur core products, got some recognition for our work and started building our community. .
- We released v0 of our map data contribution app, and got the ball rolling for user-generated map data on-chain.
- This initial version quickly gained traction, accumulating around 1000 contributions globally within just 45 days, highlighting the widespread interest in collaborative mapping.
- We then released a private beta of our mobile app, with enhanced user experience and data collection capabilities.
- The private beta was offered to select users and attendees of our map-a-thons, providing them with an early experience of our mobile platform.
- Our engagement efforts included organizing approximately six map-a-thons in Bangalore and Mumbai, with about 500 participants contributing to local map data.
And all these efforts have led us to the completion and extensive testing of v1 of our app, solidifying the foundation of our mapping platform. As we were putting in all this effort, it was nice to see some public recognition for the work:
- Becoming one of the winners in the Solana Grizzlython Mobile Track.
- Following up the Girzzlython win with another in the DePIN Track at the Lamport DAO’s OPOS Hackathon
- We also reached out to the larger Solana community at Breakpoint with our talk “The Intersection of Maps, Geospatial, and Web3”
- In an effort to foster a community around GIS and Geospatial tech, we launched our Community Ambassadors program, engaging college students and groups in this domain.
- We also introduced the OSM Impact Calculator, showcasing the economic impact of user contributions on OpenStreetMap.
- To support the learning curve in GIS and geospatial technology, we launched our GIS Wiki and Custom GPT, providing an educational resource for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
As we move forward, the work done this year will be a robust foundation for our future endeavors, promising an exciting and impactful path ahead.
What will be coming in 2024 ?
The upcoming year is all about testing and community growth for us. Our roadmap for 2024 is a blend of launches and community-focused initiatives, all designed to elevate the mapping experience and bring more value to our users.
- We will kick off 2024 with the official public launch of our app. This release will mark a new era in user-friendly, accessible, and comprehensive mapping tools, offering enhanced features and a refined user experience.
- In response to the needs of our most engaged users, we are excited to introduce a web editor specifically designed for pro users of our app. This tool will provide advanced functionalities, empowering users to create and edit maps with greater precision and flexibility.
- API’s that extend the utility and accessibility of the data collected through our app are coming soon as well. This will enable third-party developers and organizations to integrate and leverage our map data for various applications.
- Creator Revenue that supports our community of mappers, will be available very soon on our app. Creator revenue is designed to recognize and reward the contributions of our users, fostering a more sustainable and engaging mapping ecosystem.
- We are committed to further expanding our map-a-thon events and growing our community of mappers. These initiatives are at the heart of our mission to democratize mapping and create a rich, user-generated map of the world. More map-a-thons mean more opportunities for collaboration, learning, and contribution, enhancing the quality and coverage of our maps.
Embracing the Future with Enthusiasm
As Proto moves into 2024, these planned advancements and initiatives underscore our commitment to empowering mappers as creators. We are not just a mapping community; we are a platform that enables mappers to do more, do it easily and build sustainable economies around their skills.
Before we wrap here’s what our team is most looking forward to coming next year,
- User Engagement and API Development: As we step into 2024, there’s a palpable excitement about how users worldwide will engage with our product. We’re also focusing on developing and enhancing our API services, aiming to broaden our technological horizons and user interaction.
- Feature Expansion and Community Growth: The upcoming year is all about adding new features, retaining users, and nurturing our vibrant mapping community. We’re committed to enhancing the app’s capabilities and fostering a dynamic environment for our users.
- Creator Monetization and API Enhancement: A key highlight for the next year is the introduction of creator monetization on the app, a move that will significantly enhance the user experience. We’re also geared up to enhance both our API and app, ensuring continued growth and innovation.
Join us on this mission,
You can follow us on twitter & instagram, and if you wanna get started on proto; join our online onboarding events
We also hang out on group chat here, feel free to drop by!
See you soon and Happy Mapping !
