The activity monitoring platform known as Strava, and which is used by millions of people throughout the world, is preparing a true revolution that athletes will love. The company has acquired Fatmap, a European company that is working on a high-resolution 3D mapping application for outdoor sports enthusiasts.
If you use a smartwatch to carry out a measurement of your training , surely on some occasion you have turned to Strava to analyze the data with precision. The truth is that it has become one of the most popular services, since it allows you to trace routes and even chat with other users. It is mainly aimed at fans of cycling and athletics, although in recent times it has also focused on hikers and mountaineers, who could have problems with coverage in remote points. We are going to discover more about this function that is about to arrive in the app.
A 3D map for Strava
Fatmap was initially created about a decade ago to provide high-resolution digital maps of ski resorts. The company has worked together with aerospace stations and satellites to obtain much more detailed information on peaks, rivers, refuges… thus guaranteeing the data it needs to reach an exact point.
The application has up to 1.6 million registered users and Strava’s aspiration with Fatmap is for it to become an option similar to Google Maps, but dedicated to outdoor activities . In addition, it has a premium subscription of $30 per year that grants access to additional features: downloadable maps without an Internet connection, route planning…
Strava’s objective is to integrate the Fatmap platform itself into its system, although this is a procedure that takes time and cannot be carried out in a matter of days. For this very reason, the entity is working on a single sign-on integration . This means that users can access the Fatmap options by logging in with their Strava credentials.
“While other mapping platforms have been designed to navigate streets and cities, Fatmap has created a map designed specifically to help people explore the outdoors (…) We will enable Fatmap technology in all Strava services, allowing anyone to discover and plan an outdoor experience with curated local guides, points of interest, and safety information.”
When can it be used?
At the moment there is no exact date confirmed by either Strava or Fatmap. Of course, the training analysis company has indicated that it has created a team dedicated solely and exclusively to integrating the 3D map app and indicates that it could be launched in mid-2023 .
Likewise, Fatmap technology will reach both users with free subscription and those who have paid. However, as we mentioned a little above, there are certain features that are reserved for subscribers who have paid a fee.
