Several major tech companies like Apple and TomTom are also creating their own mapping service in order to rid themselves of reliance to third-party services like Google Maps.
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The Uber version of Google Street cars have been on the roads in the U.S. and are now collecting imagery in Mexico; the company will be sending the cars to other countries “soon”.
“The ongoing need for maps tailored to the Uber experience is why we’re doubling down on our investment in mapping”, says Brian McClendon, the former Google Maps head poached by Uber to lead the new digital mapping project. A source familiar with Uber’s plan told Financial Times that Uber has chose to invest in mapping. As of now Google Maps is used in its system.
We sense a potential rivalry brewing between Uber and Google.
Apple debuted its own maps in 2012, and has recently prioritized developing the software for its under-wraps autonomous vehicle initiative, dubbed Project Titan.
Uber wants more information.including more data on traffic patterns and precise pickup and dropoff locations.
“If anything, they’re a little late with this”, he told TechNewsWorld. The vehicle which was equipped with sensors, lasers, and radars was also collecting mapping data while on the road.
“When you’re going to get rid of the driver entirely, you’re going to need a map”, Lanctot observed. In the years since, mapping technologies have become an important component of numerous websites and apps, as well as playing a more central role in the day-to-day lives of consumers.
But the map data that Google have applied for approval to export does not contain “any sensitive information”, Google Korea argues.
Taxi-hailing company Uber is looking to expand its transport empire by making a small but significant change. On Monday, Uber revealed it would be selling its China unit to rival Didi Chuxing in deal that could be worth as much as $35 billion.
With its move into autonomous vehicles, and now mapping, Uber is starting to spread its wings. It is a good strategy that will catapult them ahead of competitors.
“It’s not just a company being valued at some insane level”. The company already has mapping vehicles in the USA and Mexico “roaming the streets” to assess the environment and pick up images to display.
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The respective car-hailing giants have raised funds worth $3.5 billion, which is trying best to increase productivity with new research and expanding invariably towards a new market.
