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In the vast tapestry of human history, the quest for navigation has been a constant companion. From the earliest civilizations charting their surroundings on cave walls to the modern traveller relying on GPS, the evolution of location pinning mirrors humanity's relentless pursuit of exploration and understanding.

The Dawn of Cartography: From Parchment to Paper

The origins of location pinning can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where early humans utilized rudimentary maps carved into stone or etched onto clay tablets. These primitive maps served as vital guides for hunters, traders, and explorers, marking key landmarks and routes across vast terrains. With the advent of paper in China around the 2nd century BCE, cartography underwent a significant evolution. Pioneering cartographers meticulously hand-drew maps on parchment, capturing the intricacies of geography with remarkable detail.

The Birth of the Location Pin: A Marker in Time

As civilizations flourished and trade routes expanded, the need for more precise navigation tools became paramount. Enter the humble location pin—a simple yet revolutionary concept. Initially depicted as flags or markers on paper maps, location pins provided travelers with visual cues to pinpoint specific destinations. These early incarnations laid the groundwork for the digital revolution that would follow centuries later.

From Analog to Digital: The Technological Leap

The latter half of the 20th century witnessed unprecedented advancements in technology, propelling cartography into the digital age. The emergence of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) revolutionized the way maps were created, stored, and analyzed. Digital mapping platforms, such as Google Maps and MapQuest, democratized access to location data, empowering users to explore the world from the comfort of their screens. The introduction of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology further revolutionized navigation, enabling real-time location tracking with unparalleled accuracy.

The Rise of Smart Mapping: Navigating the Digital Landscape

In recent years, the evolution of location pinning has transcended mere navigation, morphing into a multifaceted tool for social interaction, commerce, and urban planning. Smart mapping technologies leverage big data and artificial intelligence to deliver personalized location-based services, from recommending nearby restaurants to optimizing traffic flow in congested cities. Location-aware applications have become ubiquitous in our daily lives, seamlessly integrating into our smartphones, wearable devices, and smart home appliances.

The Future of Location Pinning: Towards Spatial Intelligence

As we stand on the cusp of a new era, the possibilities for location pinning are boundless. Emerging technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and the Internet of Things (IoT) promise to redefine how we perceive and interact with our surroundings. From immersive AR navigation experiences to real-time asset tracking in smart cities, the evolution of location pinning continues to shape the way we navigate and understand the world around us.

Are you happy with your sense of direction? If you belong to the millennial generation, there are chances you are not using your special skills to their full because of the dependence on the geo-positioning system. Nature has endowed us with a brain that is capable of miraculous tasks if used to its full potential. On the contrary, if it is underused, it can lead to health hazards too. 

Spatial skills are a certain function of the brain especially of the right brain and can be attributed more to the use of the hippocampus which is a special brain structure. You may have noticed in common day parlance that some people are endowed with a keener sense of direction while others aren’t. People who are not gifted with this special intelligence of the brain often fail and falter in figuring out directions to unfamiliar places, whether it is to another person’s home or while fumbling for the refrigerator in the middle of the night. 

Is the GPS impairing your sense of direction?

Are you wondering whether your sense of direction is withered by the rampant use of GPS technology? If you have sensed a depletion in your sense of direction, it may be because of the use of GPS technology. Indeed, we are gradually getting increasingly dependent on technology which is impairing our innate talents and strengths and a sense of direction is one of them. Sense of direction is stronger in some people and low in others which comes from the spatial intelligence of the brain. 

Instances of people feeling completely lost while going to a destination when their phone switches off are not something very uncommon these days. These incidents not only remind us how badly we are dependent on technology but finger-point our in competencies as well. These are the times when we feel it is rather better to be self-dependent than on technology. 

What does the research say?

Many may opine that digital addresses and GPS devices embedded in the car navigation systems are very helpful as you do the driving, and the app does the navigation. It certainly has its impacts on your brain impairing your spatial intelligence and your sense of direction. This is supported by numerous recent studies which suggest that continuous use of GPS navigation and not using our innate skills for sensing directions can impair the hippocampus which is the brain’s centre of navigation. 

It is true that when you have a digital address, and your mobile phone is your pathfinder, your eyes are glued to your mobile phone screen, and you hardly look at the environment or the trajectory you are passing through. This points out that people using GPS technology with a digital address often have poor knowledge of the terrain they have crossed along with the depletion of their sense of direction. Few suggest that the way to keep away from this impending impairment and gradual harm to the brain is to go back to paper maps. That may look a bit weird in the world of mobile phones. If you are thinking of a way out, here it is. 

The way out!

Brain scientists and psychologists say that the problem is not with the technology but with the humans. It entirely depends on you whether you want to retain your sense of direction even after using GPS technology and a digital address. According to neuroscientists, people who are endowed with strong navigational senses and skills, cognitively build up maps of their surroundings and their environment quickly. In contrast, people who are poor in the sense of direction use prescribed routes memorizing certain pathways and landmarks something like the GPS.  

Although you may be using a digital address and a GPS technology like the Google map you can still form a map in your mind, which you would have otherwise done. One of the simplest ways is to find a connection between what you see on the map and what you see in the real world and create a better map mentally. In short, it is up to us whether to be dependent on the digital map or not and try building a bridge mentally between what you see on the mobile screen and what you see in real-life representation.

Another way is to try taking different ways or pathways to the same destination by using your sense of direction once you know the way. The Google map keeps your eyes glued to the little pointer indicating your location and the arrow pointing where you should head. Instead of blindly following the map, being oblivious of the surroundings and where it is taking us, we should look at the larger map and figure out the terrain in our brains. This would also help us to quickly reach the destination and even with full awareness of the terrain we are walking or traveling. 

Create a digital address code with Myloc

After the exponential rise of online delivery by the eCommerce companies, a rising need for a digital address is being felt. In tandem with the trend, the Government of India has planned to have a Digital Address Code (DAC) for all addresses in the country. This is thought of and will be implemented by the Ministry of Communication and Department of Posts which would offer a unique Digital Address Code (DAC) to every citizen of the country.

It has been estimated that the country or the entire nation has approximately 35 crores (350 million) addresses of residential households in the country. Including the other business addresses estimated to be 75 crores (750 million), the total can be safely estimated to be 100 crores or 1 billion. It has also been proposed that with 11 digits in the Digital Address Code (DAC), it would be possible to cover 100 billion addresses.   Hence it was proposed to have 11 digits plus one check digit, totaling 12 digits.

What is a Digital Address Code and how would it help us?

Digital Address Code (DAC) would be a 12-digit code to identify your physical address digitally and map it. Consequently, very soon, you won't be needed to identify your address while ordering anything online or even paying property taxes. The department of Post, Government of India is already working on the Digital Address Code (DAC) to be available to the citizens soon. 

What is DAC?

The Department of Posts, Government of India is working on the creation of a 12-digit code to be available to each physical address available in the nation.  Each house or address would have its unique code much like the Aadhar card number that can be mapped digitally also. To be more precise, each dwelling place or business address would receive a code. This means if a two-story building has 10 apartments, each apartment will receive a separate code that would be attributed to the dwellers of the respective apartments.  

In other words, your Digital Address Code (DAC) would be your unique address identity which would be given to each denizen according to their address. This code can even be used on the different apps of service providers by either typing or scanning it as a QR code. So much of the work can be accomplished with this code without even feeding your address. These codes will also be available on digital maps which would make it possible to locate the addresses too.

Is there really a need for a Digital Address Code?

In commenting on the need for a digital address code, the Department of Posts opines that the address proof on the Aadhar card cannot be digitally authenticated, nor can it be located. So, in order to digitally authenticate and locate an address that address should be linked to the geospatial coordinates. In doing so, it would act as a unique address code as well as the digital location to map it, if needed.

How will the Digital Address Code be created?

Each address would be digitally identified and linked with the residents along with their geospatial coordinates. This will help each address to be identified digitally by the map through the unique code ascribed to it. This will also be a code that is permanent and can be used for all purposes.

How will the DAC work?

The Digital Address Code or DAC can be either typed or scanned like a QR code. This will relieve you from typing your physical address for any work or filling up a form. This will also help you in locating your address or any other address digitally through digital maps. 

Benefits of Digital Address Code

Among the numerous benefits of DAC, few are listed below:

Every house, dwelling place, or establishment can be digitally verified which would be helpful for services like E-KYC for Banking, Insurance, etc.

Services like e-Commerce would find it very helpful.

It would also be helpful to implement government schemes and also prevent incidents of fraud.

It would be helpful in the preparation of property taxation, title settlement, mortgage, disaster management, and in the different censuses conducted by the government.

It would also facilitate the easy sharing of addresses on social media, with friends and relatives, and with any others if need be. 

It would add and enrich the digital maps and their usage like applications in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Analytics, and AI helping create new products and solutions.