SPOT: the Natural Language Geolocation Map

SPOT, is an AI-powered tool designed to simplify and enhance the geolocation process for journalists and the OSINT community. Searching for the locations in media content can be challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with OSINT tools for identifying locations which are unknown. SPOT is designed to bridge this gap by providing a user-friendly way to locate places in images and videos using natural language prompts.

What is SPOT?

SPOT is a cutting-edge AI-powered interactive map that leverages natural language processing to help users locate geospatial patterns in OpenStreetMap data. By interpreting user prompts that describe specific geospatial elements - such as landmarks, infrastructure, or unique buildings - SPOT attempts to identify corresponding locations. The tool is tailored to meet the specific needs of geolocation tasks, assisting users in verifying the locations depicted in media content.

How Does SPOT Work?

SPOT is designed to be intuitive and accessible for all users. Its standout feature is its ability to interpret clear, detailed prompts. A well-crafted prompt typically includes:

• A general location: Specify a city or country.
• Visible elements: Describe landmarks or features seen in the image or video.
• Spatial relationships: Mention distances or arrangements between elements (e.g., “500 meters apart”).

Using these natural language prompts, SPOT scans OpenStreetMap data and displays potential matches within the defined search area. Results are highlighted with colored circles, and users can explore each location further by linking to external mapping platforms like Google Maps, Bing Maps, Yandex, or even Google Street View.

However, SPOT’s accuracy hinges on the quality of data available in OpenStreetMap. If certain landmarks or features are missing from the platform, SPOT may fail to return results.

Does it Work?

I'd love to report that SPOT is a valuable new tool in the OSINT arsenal. Unfortunately, my experience with the tool has been less than successful so far, even when using prompts that correspond to clearly mapped data in OpenStreetMap.

For example:

• A search for “a Pagoda in Battersea Park in London” returned “No Results in Search Area”, even though the Peace Pagoda is clearly marked in OpenStreetMap.
• Similarly, I tried the prompt “Mills next to a river near Bromley-by-Bow Underground Station.” These mills are accurately depicted on OpenStreetMap, yet SPOT again reported “No Results in Search Area.”

It’s unclear whether the issue lies with SPOT’s search algorithms, data processing, or other limitations. I would love to hear if others have had more success with the tool - please share your experiences in the comments below!

Via: WeeklyOSM