Who Makes MapQuest's Maps?

carpoolio writes "TechTV has an interesting story about the company that builds the mapping technology behind popular map services like Mapquest. The company, Navigation Technologies, is decidedly low-tech in its approach to making its maps: two people in a car drive around endlessly, inputting street information and landmarks into databases. Navtech's map databases are used in everything from Garmin GPS units to Alpine in-dash auto navigation systems. So next time you turn the wrong way down a one-way street, know that there are real people behind the controls."

Comments

Re:They hire tsarkon reports

[the Man in Black]

I'd mod this flamebait, but I'm just as bitter as you are, homeboy. I've gone from respected sysadmin to considering renting the use of my bodily orificies to pay my rent.

*sigh*

Obligatory Penny Arcade Link

[prockcore]

It's Cool, I Know Him.

Ok, so it's about Yahoo Maps instead of MapQuest, but I still think it applies.

Mapquest? Pa-lease

[strongface]

Everytime I have used mapquest in the past, I always get these longwinded directions. And then when I finally reach my destination, I figure out that I could have cut my time in half by going a more simpler, obvious way. I use M$ map point. Its local on my system, I dont have to connect to the internet to use it AND and can figure out, ahead of time, which way is the best way to go.

for those who want to do something

[sxpert]

Hi there
I have been working on a project that does that and more (ogg playing) for the past year or so.

check it out and tell me what you think (you can help too)

navsys, here