In addition to the other companies already listed, Lyft does have an OSM team for providing updates to the map based on their own street level imagery:
https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Lyft
I see them updating the roads in my area from time to time. So, while they’re not one of the Corporate Members, they are at least donating their time to help update the maps.
There are ongoing discussions regarding this on their github.
Some parts of the world have traffic data freely available, in other parts you may need to pay for it. For example, see the list compiled by GraphHopper here: https://github.com/graphhopper/open-traffic-collection?tab=readme-ov-file
On the CoMaps github there are privacy concerns being brought up with live traffic data collection. Some want extra privacy where no telemetry is ever collected. Some want to be able to provide an API key for traffic data. Some want an opt-in feature with a focus on privacy protections. For example, geofencing to protect home locations, stripping out data near the starting location and end destination of any trip, stripping out IP information, only counting average speeds on certain tiles of the map, etc.
In the end I’m hoping for CoMaps to pull through with a live traffic option that also has strong privacy protections in place.
OsmAnd does, but only for Android users, and only if you set up online routing to work with a particular service (you’ll need an API key for something like GraphHopper).
To enable this, on Android:
Even then, I find OsmAnd to be lacking because it doesn’t show me multiple options for routes, but at least I can get the best recommended route based on live traffic data.
I know they are working on plans for this, but I’m not seeing any traffic functionality in the app today. Unless I’m missing a setting somewhere?
It’s a web app, so it can technically be installed, like Voyager Lemmy/PieFed.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Progressive_web_apps/Guides/Installing
It’s kind of like a middle ground between a full app and a browser bookmark. This has the advantage of making it compatible with both Android and iOS, or you can just use it through a normal browser.
Edit: correction on Voyager -> Lemmy/PieFed.
I’ve used OsmAnd+, Organic Maps, CoMaps, MapComplete, etc.
My favorite app that I’m looking forward to is CartesApp. Unfortunately it doesn’t have an English translation yet. It’s only geared towards French users for now.
It has an interface that’s very familiar to Google Map users, and clicking on locations brings up the kind of information you’re used to when using Google Maps.
https://codeberg.org/cartes/web
Edit: That being said, the web app works fine for me when “installing” with a browser that has a built-in translation service.
You don’t need Google to contribute.
While they do have an app on the Play store, you can also just use the website.
First time I’m hearing about this one, but Zooniverse looks awesome. Definitely a lot of projects in there to satisfy the interests of any individual.
or logging the animals I see in nature or something
iNaturalist is a great way to contribute in this way:
https://www.inaturalist.org/
Just be sure to go into your settings and change the default license to something less restrictive (or whatever you’re comfortable with).
It was introduced to me by a zoologist that specializes in Reptiles and I know it’s a tool that researchers (or anyone depending on the license of the observation) can use.
Volunteer for things you find interesting or fun.
Check out OpenStreetMap:
https://www.openstreetmap.org/
And help map out your area.
You can help out with a variety of different research projects over on the Zooniverse:
https://www.zooniverse.org/
Help out with research on wildlife in your area:
https://www.inaturalist.org/
Contribute to Wikipedia:
https://www.wikipedia.org/
If you feel passionate about consumer rights, you can contribute to the wiki here:
https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Main_Page
If you like to tinker with electronics, check out Fulu Bounties and get paid for helping to get around DRM on refrigerators or on an Xbox.
https://bounties.fulu.org/
Then of course there’s always volunteering for organizations nearby.
Why? I have reasons for each of these projects but for me it just sparks joy in contributing to projects that will help others.