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Cool Concept: Maptor Shows You the Way

Shaped like a small flashlight, Maptor is a tiny GPS device which displays a map using a small built-in projector. Instead of using a backlit LCD, you can just flash the map on any flat surface and a big red arrow will tell you exactly where you are.

The controls on the Maptor include a simple on/off toggle and a zoom ring. Aside from GPS hardware, it also comes with Bluetooth for transferring maps into the device and is powered by batteries.

Although the images of the projected map look visible enough even in daylight in the pictures, I wonder if it’s really going to be that clear in real life. Either way, a very cool concept by South Koreans Jin-Sun Park and Seon-keun Park.

         
Click here to download:
Cool_Concept_Maptor_Shows_You_.zip (389 KB)

via yanko

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Posted by clementine 

Comments (5)

Sep 01, 2009
The geek in me says "excellent!", but the pragmatist is saying "how is this better than the map on my phone?"
Sep 01, 2009
Louis Trapani said...
It might be useful for sharing map information with others around you, but I agree with the pragmatist in Jonathan. Not only do I need to find where I am, but now I need to find a wall to project the answer to me. What if I am driving in a car?
Sep 01, 2009
Don Halley said...
As a tourist afoot (and who doesn't own a wireless phone - yes, you read that right), this would be a great device when you come up from an underground station (or out from a railway station) and need to get oriented so you can push off towards your destination. In a few cities, the twists and turns of old narrow streets can also be disorienting. I'd like to see this integrated into my camera software. I'd be more comfortable if the promo pictures weren't so faked. I'm betting you gotta be in a pretty dark place to be able to actually read a projected map.
Sep 01, 2009
Mohd Khawaja said...
Sounds very interesting! I think I have to give it a try. how to buy?
Sep 06, 2009
Bradley Farless said...
I can think of plenty of cases where this would be useful actually.

But first:

Louis, you shouldn't be looking at maps while your car is moving anyway. That's how you get in an accident and kill people.

As for it working during the day, I have doubts about that too if you're anywhere that's really sunny, so I suppose it has its limitations. Most people these days, though, are in urban areas, or in an area where there is at least a little bit of shade, so this device could be used.

Imagine you're vacationing in Bangkok and you left your iPhone / Storm / Blackberry in the hotel safe because you don't want it to get stolen or damaged.

Imagine you're with a large group of friends and everyone wants to see the map at once. Easier to project it on a wall and discuss the route than huddle over a phone while you 'flick' the map back and forth.

Those are just a few things I thought of off the top of my head...

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