GPS data for Camino Companion app

[Pilgrim_95]

Hello guys, I am developing a companion app for pilgrims on Spanish Caminos as a part of my University module and I am also planning to publish the app for everyone via App Store and Google Play for free in May.

The premise of the app is quite simple: based on the user's current position, the app will sort and list the closest accommodation options with distance and contact information from your current position.

I am always annoyed when I have to reopen the phone's browser or app or guide book and find the right camino and etape etc. This app should simplify it.

I am web-scraping data from Gronze so that is sorted, but I will eventually need to determine on which Camino the user currently is and appropriately calculate the distance. I will then need a connected path either made on google maps or GPX coords, or any links to complete coordinates in any form. I found some links for Google Maps, but if some of you have some good sources I will appreciate if you share them with me

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Hello guys, I am developing a companion app for pilgrims on Spanish Caminos as a part of my University module

When you hand the project in you should indicate that you at least thought about which way the pilgrim was going even if you decide not to go down that route.

Maybe the route is being done in reverse. Or say you continue on past a town and get a leg cramp; do you go on or back?

Suppose you use Google to plot a walking path for you, how can you tell if it is the camino you are on or some other calculated way?

I used to really annoy a boss coming up with problems to consider with good ideas of his but we really needed to find the true scope of the project and to make flexible enough in the first draft to expand later.

As for getting directions from Google for a KML track from point A to B, there is a way but I'm not able to remember how at the moment. It could be done for one-offs but an app might require a developers license.

 

[Deleted member 61803]

Plenty of GPS tracks freely available from walkers on the www.

Including the resources on this forum.

 

[Deleted member 76633]

I am web-scraping data from Gronze

Is there not a copyright ® issue doing this?

 

[David Tallan]

This is a fairly decent source for GPS tracks of the various Caminos in Spain: http://centrodedescargas.cnig.es/CentroDescargas/loadCamSan.do#

If you are doing it for a university module, they might like you to use such an "official" source.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

As for getting directions from Google for a KML track from point A to B, there is a way but I'm not able to remember how at the moment. It could be done for one-offs but an app might require a developers license.

I found the thread. Post #15 is what you want to see most.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/lana-detour-%E2%80%94-iglesia-san-baudelio.65994/post-813601

 

[lisaflora]

Hello guys, I am developing a companion app for pilgrims on Spanish Caminos as a part of my University module and I am also planning to publish the app for everyone via App Store and Google Play for free in May.

The premise of the app is quite simple: based on the user's current position, the app will sort and list the closest accommodation options with distance and contact information from your current position.

I am always annoyed when I have to reopen the phone's browser or app or guide book and find the right camino and etape etc. This app should simplify it.

I am web-scraping data from Gronze so that is sorted, but I will eventually need to determine on which Camino the user currently is and appropriately calculate the distance. I will then need a connected path either made on google maps or GPX coords, or any links to complete coordinates in any form. I found some links for Google Maps, but if some of you have some good sources I will appreciate if you share them with me

Wow, thanks. Would be happy to pay, don't sell yourself short! That's alot of hard work . Hope I can refind this thread when app goes live.

 

[Shaun-Castaneda-Rio]

Why an App, Just walk with your heart and feelings, I did and after all the km's blisters, pain and tears I found my way, found my place. You do not need an app when there are pilgrims around you to support and help you. Im not a dreamer, I was a highly qualified engineer who took a step back and saw my heart had been closed for too many years. I see already there is a digital pilgrim passport, whats next a travelator from St. Jean to Santiago.

 

[lisaflora]

Why an App, Just walk with your heart and feelings, I did and after all the km's blisters, pain and tears I found my way, found my place. You do not need an app when there are pilgrims around you to support and help you. Im not a dreamer, I was a highly qualified engineer who took a step back and saw my heart had been closed for too many years. I see already there is a digital pilgrim passport, whats next a travelator from St. Jean to Santiago.

Some people like more detail, efficiency, planning, technology. To each his/her own. We should support all methods of travel and applaud this young person's contribution.

 

[David Tallan]

Why an App, Just walk with your heart and feelings, I did and after all the km's blisters, pain and tears I found my way, found my place. You do not need an app when there are pilgrims around you to support and help you. Im not a dreamer, I was a highly qualified engineer who took a step back and saw my heart had been closed for too many years. I see already there is a digital pilgrim passport, whats next a travelator from St. Jean to Santiago.

I don't think an app necessarily prevents you from walking with your heart and feelings or prevent you from connecting with fellow pilgrims. Why an app, you ask. Why a guidebook? Yet millions of guidebooks to the Camino are sold each year and many pilgrims on the forum seem to appreciate their Brierleys (or other guidebooks of choice). If you don't want an app, don't use one. If others choose differently, it us not necessarily the wrong choice. Or so it seems to me.