MSR unveils interactive digital map prototype

BANGALORE: Microsoft Research India (MSR) today demonstrated its first prototype of a multilingual interactive digital map of India. The initiative is a result of collaboration between Microsoft Research India, Survey of India and the Department of Science and Technology.

The map prototype includes an online map of Bangalore in several languages. The digital map platform allows users such as government agencies to add information relevant to their communities such as the location of polling booths tagged to specific locations on the map.

“We are inventing new research models in India-such as interacting with research institutes. In fact, we feel that India could be a pioneer in this,” said P Anandan, MD of Microsoft Research India. MSR India has used its Virtual Earth technology to develop the prototype. Users need not download and install software to use the maps. Geographic data from the Survey of India was used to create an India-wide map and the detailed street-level digital map of Bangalore in various languages.

MSR India has plans to double its headcount of around 30 in the coming years. The center is currently involved in various kinds of research such as cryptography, algorithms, multimedia security, and technologies for emerging markets.

Anandan said that the center was working on local projects such as a “multiple mouse” that allows children to learn and work together at the same time, and translation software.

Besides these, the center is also collaborating with institutions like IIT Mumbai, Indian Institute of Information Technology Bangalore and Hyderabad on projects including sensor networks to detect landslides, e-agriculture and graphics research.