What3words
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what3words is a geocoding system [1] for the simple communication of precise location. what3words encodes geographic coordinates in 3 dictionary words [2]. Alphanumeric systems and GPS coordinates are useless in print, difficult to communicate via speech and are completely unmemorable [3]. Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).</ref>
Design what3words is a giant grid of the world made up of 57 trillion squares of 3 metres x 3 metres. Each square has been given a 3 word address comprised of 3 words from the dictionary. Of these 57 trillion squares, approximately 17 trillion squares are on land, and 40 trillion are in the sea. what3words has named the 17 trillion squares on land with 3 words in 7 other languages in addition to English: French, Russian, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish.
Each w3w language is powered by a wordlist of 25,000 words (40,000 in English as in English it covers the sea as well as land). The wordlists go through multiple automated and human processes before being sorted by an algorithm that takes into account word length, distinctiveness, frequency, and ease of spelling and pronunciation. Homophones and variant spellings are treated to minimise any potential for confusion, and offensive words are removed. The end result is better words in places where each language is most likely to be used.
The w3w algorithm actively shuffles similar-sounding 3 word combinations around the world to enable both human and automated intelligent error-checking. The result being if you enter a 3 word combination slightly incorrectly and the result is still a valid w3w result, the location will be so far away from the user’s intended area that it will be immediately obvious to both a user and an intelligent error-checking system.
The what3words system works via algorithm as opposed to a database, meaning that the w3w core technology is contained with a file around 10MB in size
Uses It is a viable alternative to postcodes [4] can be used for disaster reporting [5] and is being integrated into mapping tool [6] taxi companies [7] and property companies [8] including Nestoria.
External links http:www.what3words.com http://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/18/business/goodbye-postal-codes-what-3-words/
References
- ^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_geocoding_systems
- ^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PGP_word_list
- ^ http://www.spectator.co.uk/life/the-wiki-man/9348462/the-best-navigation-idea-ive-seen-since-the-tube-map/
- ^ http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2014/10/w3w-is-a-three-word-post-code-alternative/
- ^ http://irevolution.net/2014/11/05/social-media-hashtag-standards-disaster-response/
- ^ http://gisuser.com/2014/11/geospago-and-what3words-partner-to-provide-a-mobile-mapping-solution-with-3-word-addressing-throughout-the-globe/
- ^ http://www.lifehacker.co.uk/2014/10/16/bounce-london-minicab-app-pinpoints-location-3x3-sq-metre-spot
- ^ http://blog.nestoria.co.uk/post/94577687089/search-using-what3words