Update from HOT: Detailing a Strategy for OpenAerialMap

Earlier this year, OpenAerialMap (OAM) rolled out of beta. We launched the new release of OAM at SatSummit at the end of January to kick off the new phase of work with the Humanitarian Innovation Fund.

As a part of getting this work started, this spring we have focused our efforts on three key things to position the project for the Summer and Fall months:

1. Developing a detailed strategy for diffusion. This has included engagement with a number of stakeholders and users – satellite and drone companies – an evaluation of what features and services are offered. Our strategy is focused on increasing both the supply and demand of imagery made available through OAM.
2. Evaluating OAM’s technical infrastructure. We’re evaluating what parts of the source code can be improved or optimized to create a foundation for new features and make it easier for outside contributions from developers.
3. Reaching out to engage users to better understand needs. We’ve started with a user survey and will extend this with user testing.

Over the next few months, we will implement updates to our code, integrate new features, and ramp up our outreach efforts to engage new users. Keep watch here on the blog, or on hotosm.org, or on our Github repository for additional updates. We will share more about the strategy, give updates on our progress, and share results.