Hivemapper Network Expands to Nigeria as New Contributor Deploys 'Bee' Device

A new contributor, known as "Digital Merchant," has announced the activation of a Hivemapper "bee" device in Nigeria, marking a significant step for the decentralized mapping network's expansion into the West African nation. The user shared on social media, > "Finally got my bee delivered. Now let’s contribute map data from Nigeria 🇳🇬 & earn some $honey @Hivemapper x @aseidman 🙏". This initiative aims to enhance local map data and provide earning opportunities through the collection of real-time street-level imagery.

Hivemapper is a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) built on the Solana blockchain, designed to create a continuously updated global map. Unlike traditional mapping services that rely on centralized vehicle fleets, Hivemapper incentivizes a global community of drivers to collect map data using specialized dashcams. This "Drive-to-Earn" model rewards contributors with HONEY tokens for their efforts.

The HONEY token serves as the native cryptocurrency of the Hivemapper ecosystem, incentivizing data collection and enabling access to the network's mapping data for enterprises and developers. Contributors earn HONEY based on the coverage, freshness, and quality of their submitted imagery, fostering a dynamic and community-driven approach to mapping. The network's economic model ensures that those who build the map share in its economic benefits.

Hivemapper has been rapidly expanding its global footprint, focusing on regions often underserved by conventional mapping solutions. The network has already mapped millions of unique kilometers worldwide, demonstrating a faster growth rate than traditional methods in their early stages. The expansion into Nigeria aligns with Hivemapper's strategy to democratize map creation and provide accurate, up-to-date geospatial data across diverse geographies.

This decentralized approach offers significant advantages for industries requiring fresh map data, such as logistics, urban planning, and autonomous driving. By leveraging everyday drivers, Hivemapper can provide highly current and detailed maps at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. The arrival of the "bee" device in Nigeria signifies a new phase of data collection, promising to enrich the global map with vital information from the region and empower local participants.