Apple to start eight-month project to improve Apple Maps in the UK

Apple has announced that it will soon begin an eight-month project to collect new data and imagery to improve Apple Maps across the UK, with the iPhone maker saying it will conduct surveys with vehicles to collect data to improve Apple Maps and to support the Look Around feature.

Vehicle surveys may use equipment mounted on the outside of vehicles as well as iPhones, iPads, or other devices inside of vehicles. According to Apple, the project will help the service continue to maintain high-quality, up-to-date map, with the surveys going beyond vehicle capture to include surveys with portable systems in select pedestrian areas (for example, certain streets in London that cannot be driven).

Some pedestrian surveys use a backpack system to collect data that may be used directly in Apple Maps, such as in the Look Around feature. Other pedestrian surveys use iPads, iPhones or other devices to collect data for map improvement purposes.

Speaking with iMore, Apple says “Starting February 21, UK residents will see Apple vehicles driving around the country for the next eight months gathering information as part of the company’s ongoing rebuild of Apple Maps.”

“Apple’s vehicles will gather information through October 17, and from May 20 through September 11, you’ll also see people wearing Apple backpacks walking the streets of Birmingham, London, and Manchester.”