This article provides a brief description of version 3 of the mind mapping tool iMindmap released by the organization held by Tony Buzan, famous psychologist and educational consultant. The software termed as Imindmap3 has got its unique features and advantages for its end users. This latest iMindmap version comes with a new feature that called enhanced speed mapping mode which lets users to map things rapidly. The users have improved control on the mind maps layouts and organization of symbols and pictures. The iMindmap3 has improved look and feel which makes it appealing for professional and business users and helps in producing traditional looking maps. It also has better layout and template design compared to the previous version imindmap2.

We can also zoom in and out on a particular portion of mind map which lets us concentrate on every branch or region of the mind map and work on them separately. We can also export the mind map in different file formats by using the new version Imindmap 3.2.2. The file formats which are supported for export includes Microsoft PowerPoint, Outlook, Microsoft Excel, MS, Word, PDF and lot more. The mind maps can also be presented easily now and can be used for creating business presentations.

We can import mind maps created with other programs like Mind manager and free mind using the iMindmap 3.1. The tools for project management have been added to version 3.1 which is very special and beneficial for business users. We can also add web links to the keywords and data in mind maps and we can view the mind map elements and keywords in Gantt View in this latest version. By viewing the topics like these, we can create mind maps quickly and avoid clutters. The tools are really different and come with user-friendly interface. We would sometimes find it difficult for learning the entire features provided with this software at a stretch. By using it continuously and through repeated practice, we can gain more knowledge and get things done easily.

The torrent for this software can be obtained freely online and we can learn how to use this tool by downloading it. The software has a new tool for screen capture which lets users to take a snapshot of different portions of the map and save them separately as different files. There is an enhanced view menu which lets users to switch between different views easily. Apart from this, there is an icon library, standards and navigator menu, image library and lot more for users to choose from.

If we are annoyed with the clutters and confusions created by using different software for creating mind maps, we can be confident about this product which will be fruitful in all our day to day activities including work and personal life. We can get whatever resources we need by just clicking the mouse buttons. The iMindMap Version 3 must have been created by great experts who have excellent thinking potential. They have made huge efforts to make the software easy to use for everyone from business professionals to normal end users. The software will be convenient for everyone and is really worth the money.

Originally, when I learned of the mind-mapping concept which is often taught in our schools, I thought it was a decent idea to introduce students, especially younger students to cognitive thought, which might be a nice foundation for the subject of psychology later on. Now, I’ve reversed my thinking because the linear 2D mind-maps mislead a young child, teen, or student as to how the human mind actually works, which could cause problems later on. Okay so, let’s talk.

You see, recently someone asked me about mind-maps and how our think tank treated objects and context, perhaps trying to develop a better program to do all of this electronically through software or program the essence of a more primal artificial intelligence interface system. Good idea I’d say. Still, I must say that personally, I’ve been a harsh critic of mind-mapping schemes, as far too many do not seem to be appropriate to how the mind actually works most efficiently, and just as the Science Tree goes off on tangents, it limits future human discoveries from the branches less traveled or clipped (deleted) from the mind map itself.

Just because there isn’t a branch there doesn’t mean one doesn’t exist or a super-vine net cannot be over laid in a quantum way to skip or jump to secondary or tertiary ways of thinking, reasoning, creating, or solving – thus, connecting to all the knowledge, memory, information. Mind maps, most that I’ve seen, appear to be unfortunately – mind traps in 2D and even if in 3D if it leaves the operator with the belief that this is all that is, it forces them into in-box thinking. Not so smart.

Indeed, I told my acquaintance that maybe the mind maps he had looked at are inappropriate, why deal with increased linear complexity and diminishing returns of mapping concepts of past periods? Have you noted the recent science and research on leaf designs and how the nutrients are distributed throughout a tree leaf thus, ensuring that even if the leaf is damaged in one spot, it continues to survive regardless? Sure reminds me of the human brain cellular structures. Use what works in nature, design the rest, then you might discover that you can better the best of that evolutionary process.

What I am trying to say is this – the current mind-mapping programs are not good enough, inferior, and misleading, so, I just cannot see how that is helpful, in fact it may be a detriment and we might be doing a huge disservice to our future generations in promoting the current versions out there. Please consider all this and think on it.

As a land owner, knowing the location of your property lines is one of the best ways to avoid disputes with your neighbors.

Property lines, or boundary lines, are the defined points where one owner’s land ends and the neighboring property begins. A property owner uses boundary lines to determine where they can legally place items such as fences, driveways, outbuildings like pole barns or anything else. Erecting a structure on or partially on another person’s land can lead to lawsuits and unpleasant situations with neighbors.

1. Check your deed. The deed contains the legal description of your property, which is basically the property’s measurements and boundaries in words. For most people, the property description can be difficult to interpret, so you may not find it helpful. However, sometimes, the legal description uses landmarks and measurements that you can interpret. If that’s the case, measure from the landmarks in the description to the property lines. Mark each corner with a stake or other marker. Measure from each stake to the next all the way around your property to ensure the measured lines match the deed. Physically measuring the boundaries will allow you to visually determine where the lines are and avoid encroaching on your neighbor’s land. Just be warned: An old description may rely on the location of a tree that no longer exists or a creek that has gone dry.

2. Check the official website for the assessor’s office in your municipality. Some assessors have mapping tools available online for all of the real estate in the area. You can use the maps to find the boundary lines for your property and to determine where nearby landmarks are located, such as the east line of your street. You can use these landmarks as fixed points to measure from. Using a tape measure or measuring wheel, measure the distance from each of the landmark points to your property line as shown on the maps.

3. If you don’t have a copy, and there’s nothing available online, visit the county recorder’s office or the assessor’s office. When you bought your property, you may have received a plat map, showing property lines and measurements. If it wasn’t included with your paperwork, check with your local clerk’s or surveyor’s office. Ask if there are any maps available for public viewing that include your neighborhood and street. Some of these maps may be available online, while others will be hard copies or microfiche copies. Even maps of neighboring properties can be valuable if they show shared property lines.

4. Last but not least, hire a surveyor. The most surefire way to determine legal property lines is by hiring a professional. The surveyor can measure and map the property and will generally also mark the corners of the property with stakes. It’s always a good recommendation to be present when the surveyor comes to measure your property, so they can review the property lines with you. The cost of a survey will vary depending on your location, lot size, and other variables. The surveyor needs to be licensed with your state and should carry professional liability insurance, which can cover you if the surveyor makes a mistake in the survey.

If travelling is your passion, you will love scratch maps. Even if you do not love travelling, this is a great product for everyone. Scratch map is not a new thing in the market. There are many small and mid-sized companies out there that are making these types of maps for years. And the best part, these are very famous among people especially those who love travelling.

What is a scratch map?

It is a world map having a top layer of gold foil or any other scratch-able material. This top layer can be easily scratched. And once scratched it will reveal a whole new colorful world map. So the idea is to differentiate revealed countries from un-scratched ones by colors.

Once a traveler has visited a country, he will simply scratch that country revealing a colored map underneath making that particular country different from the rest of the world. This is quite helpful for travelers since they can easily see from the map where they have been and where they still want to go. For instance, if a traveler has been to France, Italy, Brazil and China. He will scratch these four countries on his map while all the other countries of the world will remain covered with golf foil.

Scratch map is a very useful thing. It is however, not mandatory for the travelers to use it. Anyone can use. It is a best learning tool too. You can give it to your child and tell her to scratch off the countries after learning them. You can also give it yo your friends and family as gifts.

Benefits of using scratch map

Here is a list of few major benefits of using this wonderful world map.

• It is of great help for travelers. They can easily keep record of the countries that are next on the list. There is no need to maintain diaries and usual world maps in order to keep track of the places.
• It can also be used as a learning tool for kids. Give it to your child today and I am sure within a couple of months, she would have learned all the countries of the world with their locations.
• You can use scratch map special editions that are country maps where you can scratch cities and other famous places. So if you are not a tourist or traveler you can still use it. Just buy a scratch map special edition of your home country and start tracking the cities and places where you have been.
• It is a great gift. You can send it to your family and friends as a gift on their special days. No need to buy it rather go to an online store that sells scratch maps, order one and send it as a gift to the address of your loved one.

We have made great strides when it comes to robotics. But where we’ve come at a standstill is the lack of support to the robots when it comes to finding the location.

WHAT IS SLAM?

However, Computer Vision has found a solution for this as well. Simultaneous Localization and Mapping are here for robots guiding them every step of the way, just like a GPS.

While GPS does serve as a good mapping system, certain constraints limit its reach. For example, indoors constrain their reach and outdoors have various barriers, which, if the robot hits, can endanger their safety.

And thus, our safety jacket is Simultaneous Localization and Mapping, better known as SLAM that helps it find locations and map their journeys.

HOW DOES SLAM WORK?

As robots can have large memory banks, they keep on mapping their location with the help of SLAM technology. So, recording its journeys, it charts maps. This is very helpful when the robot has to chart a similar course in the future.

Further, with GPS, the certainty with regards to the robot’s position is not a guarantee. But SLAM helps determine position. It uses the multi-leveled alignment of sensor data to do so, in the same manner, it creates a map.

Now, while this alignment seems pretty easy, it is not. The alignment of sensor data as a process has many levels. This multi-faceted process requires the application of various algorithms. And for that, we need supreme computer vision and supreme processors found in GPUs.

SLAM AND ITS WORKING MECHANISM

When posed with a problem, SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) solves it. The solution is what helps robots and other robotic units like drones and wheeled robots, etc. find its way outside or within a particular space. It comes in handy when the robot cannot make use of GPS or a built-in map or any other references.

It calculates and determines the way forward concerning the robot’s position and orientation concerning various objects in proximity.

SENSORS AND DATA

It uses sensors for this purpose. The different sensors by way of cameras (that use LIDAR and accelerator measurer and an inertial measurement unit) collect data. This consolidated data is then broken down to create maps.

Sensors have helped increase the degree of accuracy and sturdiness in the robot. It prepares the robot even in adverse conditions.

TECHNOLOGY USED

The cameras take 90 images in a second. It does not just end here. Furthermore, the cameras also click 20 LIDAR images within a second. This gives a precise and accurate account of the nearby surroundings.

These images are used to access data points to determine the location relative to the camera and then plot the map accordingly.

Furthermore, these calculations require fast processing that is available only in GPUs. Near about 20-100 calculations take place within the time frame of a second.

To conclude, it collects data by assessing spatial proximity and then uses algorithms to crack these juxtapositions. Finally, the robot creates a map.

This module focuses on the basics of Knowledge Mapping, its importance, principles, and methodologies.

Key Questions

• What is K-map?
• What does the K-map show, and what do we map?
• Why is K-mapping so important?
• What are some of the key principles, methodologies, and questions for K-mapping?
• How do we create K-map?

Background

Each of the past centuries has been dominated by single technology. The eighteenth century was the time of the great mechanical systems accompanying the Industrial Revolution. The nineteenth century was the age of steam engine. After these, the key technology has been information gathering, processing and distribution. Among other developments, the installation of world wide telephone networks, the invention of radio and television, the birth and unprecedented growth of the computer industry and the launching of communication satellites are significant. Now people started to think that only information is not enough, what matters is Knowledge. So there has been seen shift from Information to Knowledge.

A bit of information without context and interpretation is data such as numbers, symbols.

Information is a set of data with context and interpretation. Information is the basis for knowledge.

Knowledge is a set of data and information, to which is added expert opinion and experience, to result in a valuable asset which can be used or applied to aid decision making. Knowledge may be explicit and/or tacit, individual and/or collective.

The term -Knowledge Mapping- seems to be relatively new, but it is not. We have been practising this in our everyday life, just what we are not doing is – we are not documenting it, and we are not doing it in a systematic way. Knowledge Mapping is all about keeping a record of information and knowledge you need such as where you can get it from, who holds it, whose expertise is it, and so on. Say, you need to find something at your home or in your room, you can find it in no time because you have almost all the information/knowledge about -what is where- and -who knows what- at your home. It is a sort of map set in your mind about your home. But, to set such a map about your organisation and organisational knowledge in your mind is almost impossible. This is where K-map becomes handy and shows details of every bit of knowledge that exists within the organisation including location, quality, and accessibility; and knowledge required to run the organisation smoothly – hence making you able to find out your required knowledge easily and efficiently.

Below are some of the definitions:

It’s an ongoing quest within an organization (including its supply and customer chain) to help discover the location, ownership, value and use of knowledge artifacts, to learn the roles and expertise of people, to identify constraints to the flow of knowledge, and to highlight opportunities to leverage existing knowledge.

Knowledge mapping is an important practice consisting of survey, audit, and synthesis. It aims to track the acquisition and loss of information and knowledge. It explores personal and group competencies and proficiencies. It illustrates or “maps” how knowledge flows throughout an organization. Knowledge mapping helps an organization to appreciate how the loss of staff influences intellectual capital, to assist with the selection of teams, and to match technology to knowledge needs and processes.

– Denham Grey

Knowledge mapping is about making knowledge that is available within an organisation transparent, and is about providing the insights into its quality.

– Willem-Olaf Huijsen, Samuel J. Driessen, Jan W. M. Jacobs

Knowledge mapping is a process by which organisations can identify and categorise knowledge assets within their organisation – people, processes, content, and technology. It allows an organisation to fully leverage the existing expertise resident in the organisation, as well as identify barriers and constraints to fulfilling strategic goals and objectives. It is constructing a roadmap to locate the information needed to make the best use of resourses, independent of source or form.

-W. Vestal, APQC, 2002

(American Productivity & Quality Center)

Knowledge Map describes what knowledge is used in a process, and how it flows around the process. It is the basis for determining knowledge commonality, or areas where similar knowledge is used across multiple process. Fundamentally, a process knowledge map cntains information about the organisation?s knowledge. It describes who has what knowledge (tacit), where the knowledge resides (infrastructure), and how the knowledge is transferred or disseminated (social).

-IBM Global Services

How are the Knowledge Maps created?

Knowledge maps are created by transferring tacit and explicit knowledge into graphical formats that are easy to understand and interpret by the end users, who may be managers, experts, system developers, or anybody.

Basic steps in creating K-maps:

Basic steps – creating K-maps for specific task

• The outcomes of the entire process, and their contributions to the key organisational activities
• Logical sequences of all the activities needed to achieve the goal
• Knowledge required for each activity {gives the knowledge gap}
• Human resource required to undertake each activity {shows if recruitment is needed}

What do we map?

The followings are the objects we map:

• Explicit knowledge
  • subject
  • purpose
  • location
  • format
  • ownership
  • users
  • access right
• Tacit knowledge
  • expertise
  • skill
  • experience
  • location
  • accessibility
  • contact address
  • relationships/networks
• Tacit organisational process knowledge
  • the people with the internal processing knowledge
• Explicit organisational process knowledge
  • codified organisational process knowledge

What do the knowledge maps show?

Knowledge map shows the sources, flows, constraints, and sinks of knowledge within an organisation. It is a navigational aid to both explicit information and tacit knowledge, showing the importance and the relationships between knowledge stores and the dynamics. The following list will be more illustrative in this regard:

• Available knowledge resources
• Knowledge clusters and communities
• Who uses what knowledge resources
• The paths of knowledge exchange
• The knowledge lifecycle
• What we know we don?t know (knowledge gap)

Activity: 1

>> Can you create your personal knowledge map which shows the types and location of knowledge resources you use, the channels you use to access knowledge?

Where does knowledge reside?

Knowledge can be found in

• Correspondents, internal documents
• Library
• Archives (past project documents, proposals)
• Meetings
• Best practices
• Experience
• Corporate memory

Activity: 2

>> What are the other places where you can find knowledge?

What are the other things to be mapped?

Benefits of K-mapping

In many organisations there is a lack of transparency of organisation wide knowledge. Valuable knowledge is often not used because people do not know it exists, even if they know the knowledge exists, they may not know where. These issues lead to the knowledge mapping. Followings are some of the key reasons for doing the knowledge mapping:

• to find key sources of knowledge creation
• to encourage reuse and prevent reinvention
• to find critical information quickly
• to highlight islands of expertise
• to provide an inventory and evaluation of intellectual and intangible assets
• to improve decision making and problem solving by providing applicable information
• to provide insights into corporate knowledge

The map also serves as the continuously evolving organisational memory, capturing and integrating the key knowledge of an organisation. It enables employees learning through intuitive navigation and interrogation of the information in the map, and through the creation of new knowledge through the discovery of new relationships. Simply speaking, K-map gives employees not only -know what-, but also -know how-.

Key principles of Knowledge Mapping

• Because of their power, scope, and impact, the creation of organisational-level knowledge map requires senior management support as well as careful planning
• Share your knowledge about identifying, finding, and tracking knowledge in all forms
• Recognise and locate knowledge in a wide variety of forms: tacit, explicit, formal, informal, codified, personalised, internal, external, and permanent
• Knowledge is found in processes, relationships, policies, people, documents, conversations, links and context, and even with partners
• It should be up-to-date and accurate

K-mapping – key questions

Knowledge map provides an assessment of existing and required knowledge and information in the following categories:

• What knowledge is needed for work?
• Who needs what?
• Who has it?
• Where does it reside?
• Is the knowledge tacit or explicit?
• What issues does it address?
• How to make sure that the K-mapping will be used in an organisation?

Note:

• K-maps should be easily accessible to all in the organisation
• It should be easy to understand, update and evolve
• It should be updated regularly
• It should be an ongoing process since knowledge landscapes are continuously shifting and evolving

Offline Readings:

• K-mapping tools
• K-mapping tool selection
• Creating knowledge maps by exploiting dependent relationships
• Creating knowledge structure map?
• White pages
• KM jargon and glossary

Online Resource: http://www..voght.com/cgi-bin/pywiki?KnowledgeMapping

K-mapping Tools:

• MindMapping
• Inspiration
• IHMC (cmap.ihmc.us/) (need to have.NET Framework and JavaRunTime installed in your computer)

(Learn more about KM tool selection at http://www.voght.com/cgi-bin/pywiki?KmToolSelection )

________________________________________

Categorised K-mapping

Social Network Mapping:

This shows networks of knowledge and patterns of interaction among members, groups, organisations, and other social entities who knows who, who goes to whom for help and advice, where the information enters and leaves the groups or organisation, which forums and communities of practice are operational and generating new knowledge.

Competency Mapping:

With this kind of mapping, one can create a competency profile with skill, positions, and even career path of an individual. And, this can also be converted into the?organisational yellow pages? which enables employees to find needed expertise in people within the organisation.

Process-based Knowledge Mapping:

This shows knowledge and sources of knowledge for internal as well as external organisational processes and procedures. This includes tacit knowledge (knowledge in people such as know-how, and experience) and explicit knowledge (codified knowledge such as that in document).

Conceptual Knowledge Mapping:

Also sometimes called -taxonomy-, it is a method of hierarchically organising and classifying content. This involves in labelling pieces of knowledge and relationships between them. A concept can be defined as any unit of thought, any idea that forms in our mind [Gertner, 1978]. Often, nouns are used to refer to concepts [Roche, 2002]. Relations form a special class of concepts [Sowa, 1984]: they describe connections between other concepts. One of the most important relations between concepts is the hierarchical relation (subsumption), in which one concept (superconcept) is more general than another concept (subconcept) like Natural Resource Management and Watershed Management. This mapping should be able to relate similar kind of projects and workshops conducting/conducted by two different departments, making them more integrated.

Knowledge is power, broadly accessible, understandable, and shared knowledge is even more powerful!

How UX Mapping Plays a Vital Role in Website Success and Failure

UX showcases the interface of a website apart from depicting or representing each aspect of a user’s experience on a website.

What is UX?

UX is something that is experienced from the front of users. It is where users interact with the website. It may also refer to backend where the designers toil to regulate and enhance the website design. According to research, a number of UX factors must be considered, these include significance of visual design and how it is linked with a website’s ease of use. However, a UX map can depict the performance of your website. It can display if the interaction with website left customers pleased or not. The UX map tool aids designers in enhancing UX of a website by blending customer journey map ideas with the layout of a website. This enables readers to access information about website performance and the ways in which customers interact with it. The map depicts the areas of improvements for designers and areas where the functions are performing par excellence. A study of areas where customer is not just satisfied, but also delighted can give an idea on improving other pages of a website.

Categories of Maps:

UX mapping was initiated just after the inception of UX design. It was something beyond the traditional UI. Companies have utilized customer journey maps for a long time to jot down routes taken by customers to arrive at purchase decisions. UX mapping is a technique which brings together methods of creating and applying these maps. It also includes overlaying the methods with maps of UI layout and interaction to result in a completely new type of map. These UX maps possess a great deal of information on interaction of a customer with a website. Owing to the fact that UX maps may contain different types of information, the maps can manifest in a variety of forms. Some are in the form of flowcharts of differing complexity, depicting web design elements and user interactions with them. Other maps might be vague and just show customer activity and give inference about customer emotions and intent.

Those creating us maps will decide on the form of the map; as there is no single way designed to create such a map. UX designers have the flexibility to create a variety of maps to represent their needs and also the functionality and utilization of the website.

During the process of creating a UX map, designers can arrive at techniques used to form customer journey and empathy maps. These map types have high prevalence. Both possess valuable information related to UX maps. However, when it comes to information about web design, they lag behind. This must be added by designers to design maps of website’s UX.

Customer journey maps, record the experience of customers in terms of their interaction with a business. These maps jot the journey through different key points, beginning with the formation of the company and concluding with a purchase (or a different ending point for those businesses who are not involved in the sale of products or services). After laying down these points, questions related to customers are asked to gain an idea about wishes, emotional states, goals, and other things. This results in a map depicting how customers carry out their interactions with businesses. This map contains valuable information about ways to enhance customer experience.

UX designers have a lot to learn, about creating maps for UX, from customer journey maps. Amateur designers learning to create a UX map should gain basic information about customer journey mapping and design a map which brings together the information contained in those maps and information related to customer interaction.

When it comes to empathy maps, they are less involved in comparison to customer journey maps. Generally, empathy maps assume the form of a simple chart using example, a customer in the middle approached by different quadrants having information on their tasks, feelings, influences, obstacles, etc. UX designers can create UX maps, emphasizing customer needs, using the empathy maps.

Designing UX map:

UX mapping is yet to evolve. Study is still on to know about the information that a UX map must contain and the way it must be presented. Though the work is on, the importance of UX maps is not underestimated by businesses.

The steps required to create a UX map differ from company to company, website to website, and designer to designer. As this concept is in the initial stages, the steps used to create a map are not specific. Companies, which have already developed UX maps, follow different steps for creating a customer journey map, changing them to present information related to customer’s journey through a website rather than through the business.

To easily make a UX map all you need to do is take the steps for creating a customer journey map and replacing the term “company” with the term “website””.

• Establish personas for target customers-the data from the site cannot be utilized optimally if there is no information about ideal consumers or factors that attract them to a website initially.

• Jot down the path of the customer through the website. The way a buyer interacts with it, the way the customer will feel on the landing page during shopping and checkout, for instance.

• Make a comparison of customer expectations with what the site actually delivers.

• Segregate areas where customer’s expectations are not being met.

• The turning points; moments where users arrive at a decision.

The map includes all this information in a single layout which can assume the most user-friendly form.

Though the creation of UX maps is in the initial stages, the benefits of a good map are many. The best ways to create our maps are yet to be discovered, but the basics of a customer journey mapping can still be implemented. You can use these to start creating UX maps. A designer has the capability to enhance a website design using such a map by showing strong or successful points of a website. This results in a great user experience and also benefits areas where a website is lagging behind.

Robots use maps in order to get around just like humans. As a matter of fact, robots cannot depend on GPS during their indoor operation. Apart from this, GPS is not accurate enough during their outdoor operation due to increased demand for decision. This is the reason these devices depend on Simultaneous Localization and Mapping. It is also known as SLAM. Let’s find out more about this approach.

With the help of SLAM, it is possible for robots to construct these maps while operating. Besides, it enables these machines to spot their position through the alignment of the sensor data.

Although it looks quite simple, the process involves a lot of stages. The robots have to process sensor data with the help of a lot of algorithms.

Sensor Data Alignment

Computers detect the position of a robot in the form of a timestamp dot on the timeline of the map. As a matter of fact, robots continue to gather sensor data to know more about their surroundings. You will be surprised to know that they capture images at a rate of 90 images per second. This is how they offer precision.

Motion Estimation

Apart from this, wheel odometry considers the rotation of the wheels of the robot to measure the distance traveled. Similarly, inertial measurement units can help computer gauge speed. These sensor streams are used in order to get a better estimate of the movement of the robot.

Sensor Data Registration

Sensor data registration happens between a map and a measurement. For example, with the help of the NVIDIA Isaac SDK, experts can use a robot for the purpose of map matching. There is an algorithm in the SDK called HGMM, which is short for Hierarchical Gaussian Mixture Model. This algorithm is used to align a pair of point clouds.

Basically, Bayesian filters are used to mathematically solve the location of a robot. It is done with the help of motion estimates and a stream of sensor data.

GPUs and Split-Second Calculations

The interesting thing is that mapping calculations are done up to 100 times per second based on the algorithms. And this is only possible in real-time with the astonishing processing power of GPUs. Unlike CPUs, GPUs can be up to 20 times faster as far as these calculations are concerned.

Visual Odometry and Localization

Visual Odometry can be an ideal choice to spot the location of a robot and orientation. In this case, the only input is video. Nvidia Isaac is an ideal choice for this as it is compatible with stereo visual odometry, which involves two cameras. These cameras work in real-time in order to spot the location. These cameras can record up to 30 frames per second.

Long story short, this was a brief look at Simultaneous Localization and Mapping. Hopefully, this article will help you get a better understanding of this technology.

Recently I had an interesting discussion from a Midwest US Grad Student on the possibilities of a 3D, 4D Mind Map, which would in fact take the entire MindMap concept to the next level. Currently the Online Think Tank is engaged in on-going topics of the use of human mind mapping and its uses in AI or Artificial Intelligence.

My concept is to make the mind map more dynamic in 3D and 4D; for instance using a wheel as the center of the MindMap and then visualizing it as it turns. Allowing it to flow or roll along a line or distance space on the line representing a; question-decision phase that needs to be made.

As the wheel passes by it covers all the potential personal mindmap characteristics of the individual. It skips those irrelevant in the process and also folds the line to delete those question points in the space of the decision to be made. Multiple questions can be asked along the line. Linear thinking or rotational molding you ask? Well, good point so now that you understand the concept lets go a step or two further with this. First to visualize a MindMap process see page 7 on this Online Human Knowledge MindMap eBook;

[http://www3.sympatico.ca/cypher2/WebMindMapBook.pdf]

Let us do the same thing with a Sphere where all the attributes of an individual or their normal decision making process are in 4D within the sphere, but the original branches of the mind map are on the surface of the sphere the rest continue to deep with in it. Think of Beach Ball with a spiral galaxy inside where the planets and solar systems are semi connected.

Instead of the circle on a line, this time we watch as the Beach Ball rolls across the gym floor (which has a grid on it). The Beach Ball zig zags to hit all the various decision points on the surface of the beach ball across the floor. As this is mapped you are taking the individuals Mind Map and applying it to thinking and decision making.

Simultaneously you are recording it. Then you have mapped the thinking process on your graph and eventually you can know the decisions of an individual in advance and from this process you can use the graph and mathematics to program an AI machine to learn from its decisions based on the path of the decisions made on each journey and problem or challenge? Recording as it goes and then write a program to evaluate the decision and out comes. Teaching it to think for itself. Of course, I am abstractly thinking here, to do your own thinking read about Mind Mapping in your quest to be the best.

You already know how remapping the ECU can improve your car’s performance: more power and torque, smoother handling, better fuel economy. Now all you have to do is find someone to do the work. You’ll probably notice that some companies advertise custom or bespoke maps and other companies talk about using library maps. It’s really important to know the difference between the two types of remapping. Bespoke remapping can be more expensive, but it has significant advantages that make it well worth the cost.

Bespoke or custom remapping begins with the file that is in your car’s ECU right now. The technician downloads the original ECU map from the car and then modifies parts of it to enhance engine performance. The files for many different processes are tuned with expensive computer software. The technician must understand the best way to recalibrate each setting — in other words, he has to know what he’s doing.

In addition to the maps that control fuel combustion, the ECU also contains data pertinent to your vehicle such as immobiliser information, software updates, bug fixes from the manufacturer, and so on. For this reason, only the files that need to be changed are touched during the remapping — other vital data about the car is left intact. Then the map is flashed back to the ECU, overwriting the existing file. A copy of the original ECU file is kept by the service provider, just in case. Bespoke remapping is always tailored to your particular vehicle, which ensures the best possible results.

Remapping with a library file is quite different. The technician doesn’t use the original ECU file from your car. Instead, a modified ECU map is chosen from a library of perhaps 10,000 generic files. The library file is copied back to the car’s ECU, overwriting everything — including any vehicle-specific information that might have been on the original file.

Now, this collection of library files has a shady past. It consists of ECU files that someone compiled from unknown sources, copied to a CD, and sold for a few pounds over the Internet. Many, if not most, of the ECU files were stolen from professional remappers. As a result, you really don’t know anything about the quality of the files or how they might affect your engine.

Remapping the ECU with a library file is a mistake that can have dire consequences. The library file probably won’t contain the immobiliser software that keeps your vehicle secure. It won’t have recent software updates or crucial bug fixes. And let’s not forget that a service provider using library files probably cuts corners in other ways, with cheap tools and minimal technician training.

What happens when you replace a vehicle’s unique ECU map with a library file? Certainly the engine might output more power after the remap, but there is no guarantee that the improvement will be what you expected. Your engine system may suddenly develop glitches and fail to operate as it should. The ECU could freeze up and become inaccessible so you can’t even fix the damage. Without the normal security features, your car could be stolen more easily. And worst of all, you might be forced to spend a lot of money replacing the ECU or repairing the engine.

Now that you know why custom maps are so much better than library maps, how do you find someone to do the work? First and foremost, make sure the company really does offer bespoke remapping that is performed by qualified technicians. It’s not hard to tell whether you’re dealing with a professional or a poseur. Just ask the technician a few questions about how the remapping is done, what type of files he uses, which engine settings are changed, and so on. A qualified and experienced individual will be perfectly able to explain the finer points of the remapping process to you. And if someone mentions library files or tries to convince you that library files are just as good as custom files, cross them off the list.

There’s nothing wrong with shopping around to compare prices, but don’t make price the deciding factor. This is a high-tech industry and technology costs money. If you find a service provider with very low prices, ask yourself why. In all likelihood, they are using library files and cheap tools for remapping.

You should also reassure yourself about the company’s after-sales support. Is there a trial period after the remapping? Do they keep a copy of the original map in case you ever want to change back? Does the workmanship come with a warranty? Does the company guarantee improvements in BHP, torque, and fuel economy? Make sure you’re happy with the answers to these questions

Remapping the ECU is an effective way to boost engine performance, but if it’s not done properly you really do put your car at risk. There’s no question that bespoke or custom remapping is a better option than remapping with library files. You’ll get the best results, and equally important, you’ll protect your expensive vehicle from damage.