Category: Software

  • Introducing LABS.OpenRouteService.org with Open Space Routing and the Places POI search API

    Some of the results from our research are transformed into stable and professionally managed services, that are used by the wider public. A prominent example is OpenRouteService.org. Since it’s introduction in early 2008 it has been transformed now to a rigorously tested rich API that is hosted on a cloud system and that can be…

  • New QGIS-PlugIn for OSM-Routing and Accessibility Analysis using OpenRouteService

    Recently a new “OSM Tools Plugin” for QGIS had been developed by Nils Nolde. It replaces the original OSMroute plugin for QGIS by Riccardo Klinger, which is now deprecated, as he unfortunately lacks the time to maintain it. Thanks a lot to Riccardo and Nils for their wonderful efforts and contributions so far! The new “OSM…

  • OpenRouteService with new API, functions and look

    We would like to introduce you to a brand new API of OpenRouteService.org and a revamped route planner with many more features than before. With this major release we have removed XML and introduced a (much) longed for JSON support. You will notice some drastic optimisation in response times and you now have the advantage…

  • osm-vis.geog.uni-heidelberg.de is Online

    The set of interactive visualizations “OSMvis” from our GIScience HD team member Franz-Benjamin are now online at: http://osm-vis.geog.uni-heidelberg.de. Nice work Franz-Benjamin! OSMvis is a collection of visualizations related to OpenStreetMap (OSM), in particular the OSM database, the OSM wiki, and the use of OSM data in general. OSMvis aims at exploring the generation, modification, and use…

  • CAP4Access Comes to a Close

    On Tuesday 17th January, the CAP4Access/MyAccessible.EU came to a close after three years with the successful completion of the final European Commission review meeting in Brussels. Reviewers were highly pleased with the outcomes of the project, both on the technical and societal fronts. At GIScience in Heidelberg, through the EC FP7 project we have extended…

  • MapSwipe2HOT_Tasking_Manager is OSM_Wiki “Image of the Week”

    This week’s “OSM Wiki “Image of the Week”” shows two maps from our efforts to use MapSwipe data for defining and prioritising OSM Hot Tasking Manager tasks. We appreciate the recognition 🙂 The workflow and respective tools have been introduced recently and are based on the “Heidelberg Process“, that lead to the development of MapSwipe…

  • Two new tools provided on GITHub: HELIOS (LiDAR simulator), VOSTOK (3D solar potential calculation)

    On the GIScience GITHub, two new tools are now available: The Heidelberg LiDAR Operations Simulator HELIOS is a software package for interactive real-time simulation and visualization of terrestrial, mobile and airborne laser scanning surveys. Own virtual scenes can be generated by combining for example terrain models with other objects (buildings, vegetation). Own scan positions as…

  • Integrating MapSwipe and HOT Tasking Manager

    The MapSwipe app allows you to mark buildings and roads on satellite imagery within just a few seconds by tapping on your smartphone. Thousands of volunteers contributed to MapSwipe so far and it is just incredible how big the areas are that have been scanned (also see : With one swipe or tap you put…

  • MapSwipe App for humanitarian mapping featured in Product Hunt today

    today MapSwipe is featured in “Product Hunt”, a kind of reddit for products. https://www.producthunt.com/tech/mapswipe Learn more about the smartphone App that helps you to put a family on the map. It is so simple even children can use it but helps humanitarian organisations like the Red Cross and Doctors without Borders to better plan and…

  • With one swipe and tap you put a family on the map

    We are happy to announce the launch of MapSwipe – an app that allows you to support humanitarian aid by simply using your mobile. In a disaster or humanitarian crisis, knowledge regarding the location of possibly affected and vulnerable people is crucial to provide effective support. MapSwipe allows you to map these locations using your…

  • A Monitoring Tool for OpenStreetMap Mapathons in Python

    In the last couple of weeks disastermappers Heidelberg and GIScience members were interested in finding a way to monitor changes in the OpenStreetMap database. This could help to provide better feedback after mapathons and could allow to measure how many objects like buildings or roads were created or modified during a mapathon. (It was even…

  • OpenRouteService 3.3 is going Mobile – Routing in the Americas, Gradients and more!

    In our latest release we have primarily focused on optimising and stabilising the backend and on adding new elements to provide an improved user experience throughout the OpenRouteService 3.3 based on OpenStreetMap data. After many requests from our community, we for starters can happily announce that we have made the service responsive for your mobile smartphones.…