As technology evolves and changes, maps need to change too. We are excited to introduce the FOAM Protocol as the interoperable standard for location on Ethereum. FOAM is an open protocol for decentralized, geospatial data markets. Our mission is to build a consensus-driven map of the world that can be trusted for every application.

This post offers a brief introduction to our vision for secure and decentralized geospatial data. Over the coming weeks, we will share deeper dives into the FOAM Protocol and how it will be realized.

The Future of Mapping

Maps and addressing systems are at the foundation of our lives, and have played a major role throughout history. We have gone from hand drawn maps and non-standardized measurement tools like footsteps, to high-tech developments in digital cartography that use satellite imaging and geographic information systems. Whoever controls the map defines how we navigate the world. Currently, Google dominates consumer mapping, followed by HERE, a company jointly owned by the largest German automotive companies, and TomTom, known for standalone GPS units, lagging behind. And that’s a problem. Even more so for applications that require consensus-driven and verifiable geospatial data.*

(*Footnote: Geospatial data is information about a physical object that can be represented by numerical values in a geographic coordinate system.)

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is the alternative to Google and other proprietary mapping data, as an open source and collaborative mapping project which is free to use and created by millions of participants around the world. OSM is gaining traction on Google, and it is currently used by Mapbox, Apple Maps, PokemonGO, Foursquare, and Craigslist. As the crowdsourced and open map gets better and better, the value of licensing proprietary mapping data from Google plummets rapidly. But what OSM currently does not do, is make it easy to enforce agreed upon truths.

Blockchain technology is replacing networks with markets, and new applications will need consensus-driven geospatial data that can be verified and trusted. Previous attempts to create an open source map that is legible to humans, verifiable, and readable by machines, have been crippled due to a lack of funding for open source projects. In the sections that follow, we will explain how protocol tokens allow us to change the business model around open communications standards for maps.

The FOAM Protocol

FOAM introduces a geospatial protocol for the Ethereum blockchain, that will serve as the location layer for smart contracts and dApps. The FOAM protocol is an interoperable open source standard for verifying location. Using tokens to create economic incentives for the validation of geospatial data, we will build a consensus-driven map. Backwards compatible with OSM and connected to their API, we add a monetization layer to open source mapping to enable new geospatial markets of exchange. This will allow people to build applications that are connected to verifiable physical addresses, and allow any coordinate to be turned into a blockchain wallet that can hold a balance and be tagged with crowdsourced data. While Bitcoin creates digitally scarce value, and Ethereum creates programmable money, FOAM will enable programmable space.

We see many uses for the FOAM protocol in the emerging Ethereum ecosystem. Applications ranging from mapping, augmented reality, internet of things devices, energy systems, supply chains, and land registries, can all leverage the FOAM protocol’s geospatial standard. Interoperability will allow FOAM to create new kinds of geospatial data markets and exchanges of value. The FOAM protocol is the layer for consensus-driven mapping, trustless geospatial data and proving location.

Why we are building FOAM?

To add a monetization and token incentive layer to open source mapping. To establish a standard to enable the interoperability of location data. To solve the problem of verifying location data and validating presence. To index and track the value of spatial assets on the blockchain. To incentivize the creation of verified geospatial data.

Protocols and Protocol Tokens

A protocol is a standard and open language, such as HTTP, SMTP and SSL, used for Internet systems to coordinate and work together on a specific problem. In the past, there have been no financial incentives for people to align around new communications standards. Blockchain-based protocol tokens allow for an entirely new business model, solving the chicken and the egg problem new networks face for user adoption, by providing financial incentives that motivate people to build and develop new protocols. These tokens, for the first time, allow for the monetization of open source standards. FOAM leverages this new business model, to develop an interoperable standard for Ethereum smart contracts in different verticals to reference physical locations and their attributes.

Our Technical Architecture

The FOAM protocol consists of three parts: (1) the FOAM Coordinate System (2) the FOAM Verification Layer, and (3) the Spatial Index.

At the base, we have the (1) FOAM Coordinate System. It acts as registry of Crypto-Spatial Coordinates (CSC) that record geospatial data on the blockchain. A Crypto-Spatial Coordinate (CSC) is an on-chain verifiable Ethereum smart contract address, with a corresponding geohash address positioned in physical space, that is verifiable both on and offline. This means that crowdsourced physical addresses can be paired with publicly owned and accessible blockchain smart contracts capable of holding or receiving a value balance.

On top of that, we have the (2) FOAM Verification Layer that incentivizes users to build reputation around CSCs claims. Users can stake reputation or utility tokens to vouch for a CSCs accuracy and prove its location.

At the highest level, we are developing the (3) Spatial Index as a real time visualization tool. A cross between Google Maps and a Bloomberg Terminal, it is a visual interface to the FOAM Protocol that will enable users to understand, engage with, and use, data from our coordinate system. The Spatial Index will introduce an economic layer to tie together coordinate systems, geospatial data, and hard assets. This allows users to track and view analytics about all the applications using the FOAM Protocol.

Conclusion

We will be releasing more information soon, including our roadmap, timeline and some exciting partnerships. For now, check out our website and join our Telegram. Updates will be posted on reddit and Twitter. Leading up to the release of our white paper, we will be sharing posts going into more detail on the FOAM protocol, crypto-spatial coordinates, use cases for different verticals and the Spatial Index.

We welcome feedback from the community and are open to collaborations, so feel free to reach out!

-Ryan, Katya and Kristoffer