Welcome to

MAPSWIPE

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WHAT IS MAPSWIPE?

SIMPLE, MOBILE VOLUNTEERING

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Using MapSwipe, you can swipe through satellite images of a region on your mobile phone to identify buildings or roads.

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This information helps humanitarian organizations eliminate areas where detailed mapping will not be needed (e.g. deserts or forests).

So far, volunteers have MapSwiped one million square kilometers across 29 countries.

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MapSwipe reduces the area for detailed mapping in remote places by up to 95%.

WHY MAPSWIPE?

Previously, mappers had to spend days scrolling through thousands of images of uninhabited forest, desert, or remote areas looking for communities that need mapping.

From projects like this, where we look through every square in an area for features to map

To more efficient projects like this, where we only map built up areas

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HOW IS MAPSWIPE DIFFERENT THAN MAPPING IN OPENSTREETMAP?

• MapSwipe using your mobile phone -- quick, easy impact you can do on the go

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• MapSwipe allows volunteers to identify where features exist

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• MapSwipe doesn’t actually involve adding/changing OSM data

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• MapSwipe is very quick to learn (a few minutes)

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OPENSTREETMAP (OSM)

• OSM relies on volunteers using desktop/laptop

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• OSM allows volunteers to directly draw features

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• OSM editing does involve making real-time edits to OSM data

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• Learning to contribute to OSM is more involved and requires more time

GETTING STARTED WITH MAPSWIPE

DOWNLOADING & LOGGING IN

Search Mapswipe in the App Store or Google Play + download

to mobile phone / tablet.

Create a username /

password.

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Note: This login is separate from OpenStreetMap; remember your login to use at event

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DOWNLOADING & LOGGING IN

Create a username /

password.

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If you intend to be tracked as part of an organization use a predetermined prefix at the start of your username.

Search Mapswipe in the App Store or Google Play + download

to mobile phone / tablet.

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SELECT YOUR TASK

Tap the project you want to contribute towards

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Read instructions to know what to look for

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(buildings, roads, both, etc.)

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LOOK FOR THE FEATURE(S)

Do not tap tile if you find none of the features requested

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Tile remains the same

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Tap once

to identify areas with the feature

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Tile turns green

Tap twice

to identify ‘unclear’ or ‘maybe’ areas

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Tile turns yellow

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Tap three times to identify cloudy or missing imagery

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Tile turns red

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SAMPLE TASK DEMO - BUILDINGS

Tapped once in each tile where buildings are found

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Tapped and held tile to zoom in

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Tapped twice in tile where was unsure if it was buildings

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Swiped left to move to next set of tiles

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR BUILDINGS

RECTANGULAR BUILDINGS

There are two main building types to look for:

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1. Rectangular structures with metal or wooden roofs
1. Generally have square corners
2. Round huts with roofs of straw
• Typically small
• Often found in clusters
• Shape is usually a near-perfect circle, unlike a tree or a bush
• Often have surrounding paths or fencing

SMALL ROUND HUTS

SMALL ROUND HUTS

RECTANGULAR BUILDINGS

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ROADS

Roads can sometimes be difficult to identify. We want to look for both major roadways and smaller road networks that connect to other features.

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Tap once anywhere you find a major or well-established road.

WELL ESTABLISHED ROAD - MAP

SMALLER PATHS - DON’T MAP

For smaller paths / tracks, tap once only if they lead to a village or larger roadway.

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If it leads to a field or open / vacant area, we do not need to identify it -- do not tap the tile.

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If you are not clear where the path leads, swipe left or right to see if you can track where the path leads. If you are unsure, tap twice for ‘maybe’.

SMALLER PATHS LEADING TO FIELDS - DON’T MAP

TRACK YOUR PROGRESS

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Click the ‘More’ tab at the top of the app screen to see your overall contributions, current level, & how to move up the ranks by swiping more!

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Also includes FAQs and a Tutorial to remind you how to use Mapswipe.

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Track your contributions

MAPSWIPE FAQs

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What if I’m not sure what I see in a tile?

Tap it twice to turn the tile yellow, indicating “maybe.” It is better to be on the safe side as other mappers will review.

How can I get closer to see better?

Hold down the tile and it will zoom so you can see it more closely.

What exactly am I looking for?

The task will indicate whether

you are looking for

buildings or roads. It’s very

important to take your time

when swiping to identify

these structures.

What if the image

is bad or unclear?

Tap the tile three

times to indicate poor

or non-existent

imagery, which lets

us know we need to

find a better source!

Here cloud coverage is dense so we are unable to see what is beneath

NEW: Building Footprint Validation

Volunteers can now view images where buildings have been traced in the Tasking Manager by remote mappers or through AI. They will indicate tiles where these traces are inaccurate or low-quality, targeting where improved mapping is needed.

Tap to confirm good data and indicate what needs improvement

Quick tapping for YES, NO, and NOT SURE at the bottom of each mission

Help validate circular buildings and imagery offsets

Confirm correct shapes and objects that are not structures

Identify cloud clover and change your answers at any time

QUESTIONS?

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info@hotosm.org