Recently during its annual research symposium, “TechVista 2006,” Microsoft Research India demonstrated the first prototype of a multilingual interactive digital map of the country. Kapil Sibal, Minister of Science and Technology, India unveiled the research prototype. Microsoft Research India and the Department of Science and Technology began collaboration on this research project in 2005. Microsoft collaborated with the Survey of India, part of the Department of Science and Technology, on development of this prototype, which also includes an online map of Bangalore in several languages. A special feature enables users to add information relevant to their own communities, tagged to specific locations on the map. This is the first public demonstration of an ongoing Microsoft Research India project that explores innovative ways to create and disseminate geo-spatial data.
The web-based interactive digital maps use Microsoft’s Virtual Earth technology, which also powers the Windows Live Local mapping service, so users do not need to download and install any software to use the maps. Geographic data from the Survey of India were used to create the India-wide map, as well as the detailed street-level digital map of Bangalore in several languages. Microsoft Research India also plans to add greater detail and more languages to the maps.
The research prototype enables the addition of information such as the location of polling booths and other data that helps citizens create and maintain maps that are uniquely relevant to their communities. Microsoft Research India and the Department of Science and Technology plan to leverage experiences from this prototype, to develop effective country-wide mechanisms for spatial data creation, collection and dissemination that can be useful in a number of ways, such as for disaster management. More information about this project can be found on Microsoft Research India’s Web site at research.microsoft.com/india.
