Hivemapper Joins Solana: Decentralized Mapping Gets a Boost

Hivemapper dropped a big update at Solana Breakpoint 2023: they’re building on Solana. This decentralized mapping network is tapping Solana’s speed and low fees to power its global contributor ecosystem. Builders, this is a DePIN project worth watching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzNXP0w4xqU

What’s Hivemapper?

It’s a decentralized alternative to Google Maps, crowdsourcing street-level imagery via dashcams.

• Mission: Build a global map with community-driven data.
• Why Solana: Scalability for millions of contributors, cheap transactions for rewards.

Announced at Breakpoint, Hivemapper’s integration is live, and they’re already mapping.

Technical Setup

Hivemapper leverages Solana for its core operations:

• Token System: $HONEY rewards contributors for mapping data.
• Smart Contracts: Handles payouts and data validation on-chain.
• Storage: Uses Solana for metadata, paired with off-chain image hosting.

They’ve mapped over 500,000 kilometers so far, with Solana keeping costs near zero.

Why Builders Should Care

This isn’t just mapping—it’s a blueprint for DePIN on Solana:

• Scalability: Handles millions of microtransactions for contributors.
• Low Fees: Pays users without breaking the bank.
• Inspiration: Shows how to build real-world infra on Solana.

Hivemapper’s CEO Ariel Seidman: “Solana’s the only chain that can scale this vision.”

Get Involved

Hivemapper’s open for builders to explore:

• Contribute Data: Grab a dashcam, map your area, earn $HONEY.
• Build Tools: APIs are live—create apps on top of their data.
• Deep Dive: Check their docs here.
• Chat: Join the convo on Solana’s Discord.

The Breakpoint session has more details:
https://twitter.com/solana/status/1722996789114978400

What’s Next?

Hivemapper aims to map 10 million kilometers by 2025. They’re also exploring AI-driven map updates on Solana. For builders, this is a chance to jump into DePIN—expect more projects to follow their lead.

The Takeaway

Hivemapper on Solana proves DePIN can thrive at scale. It’s a real-world use case, and it’s live now.