MapForums

I've looked through many VB.NET apps that use MapPoint functionality to return data to the program, but all that I've seen so far are implementations that call MapPoint up in its full form and then require the user to interact with MapPoint so that the original app can get its data.

I'm working on a project (for a mid-size robot actually) that requires a small map to be displayed on the form, with the area shown being determined by a GPS receiver. The purpose of using MapPoint would be to integrate more information about the vehicle's surroundings to the remote human controller than just lat and lon - MapPoint can show roads, etc.

Basically all that is needed is the following:

1) GPS feed locates vehicle on map, indicates position with some kind of marker
2) Lat/Lon position of user click determined and returned to app

The purpose is that the robot would then navigate to the clicked area on the map. Is there an alternative to using Lat/Lon to do this?

Is there any way to integrate a small map into an app rather than calling the full blown MapPoint program up?

Thanks in advance.

I've looked through and used the MapPoint Control in VB.NET - my question is more specifically what is the best way to integrate the GPS as I need it.

Also is there some way to extend the zooming capabilities of MapPoint? The lack of more detailed information as you zoom is ok, I just need it to be able to zoom in further to more comprehensibly show the bot's position.