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Apple is expanding its street mapping efforts beyond vans outfitted with LIDAR equipment and now has employees collecting street level data on foot.

MacRumors reader Dante Cesa spotted a man wearing an Apple Maps backpack featuring a LIDAR rig, GPS, and multiple cameras, some of the same equipment that's previously been spotted on Apple's mapping vans.

applemapsbackpack1-800x1067.jpg

Apple has been collecting street-level data with its Apple Maps vans since 2015, but this is the first time we've seen someone collecting mapping data on foot.

Apple in iOS 12 introduced a revamped Maps app that's been rebuilt from the ground up using its own data, which the company has promised will bring better accuracy and more detail.

applemapsbackpack2-800x1067.jpg

The new Maps app offers up improvements to traffic, real-time road conditions, road systems, new construction, and changes in pedestrian walkways along with more detail and accuracy when it comes to displaying foliage like grass and trees, parking lots, building shapes, and more.

Data gathered on foot will likely be used to improve pedestrian directions in major cities like San Francisco.

Apple appears to be bolstering its mapping efforts following the launch of iOS 12. Along with the Apple Maps backpack man, Apple has also deployed new Subaru Impreza mapping vehicles that were spotted with new LIDAR equipment earlier this week in Los Angeles.

Article Link: Man Wearing Apple Maps Backpack Surveying San Francisco on Foot
 

TheWatchfulOne

macrumors 6502a
Jun 19, 2009
832
958
At that pace it's going to take a long time to catch up to Street View.

There are places that would be useful to see in StreetView that are not accessible by car. One such place is the river level of the San Antonio Riverwalk, which is browsable in Google StreetView.

If they can capture data and imagery by driving streets, they will. But in places not accessible by any vehicle, the only option might be to go on foot.
 

Killbill2

macrumors member
Oct 24, 2017
64
161
It would even better if Apple employed wheelchair users and gathered data on the accessibility of routes… A great way to employ people with disabilities and also develop an understanding of complete street needs.
Oh and Apple has/had an app called "Indoor Survey" which used to be in the App Store but it requires specialized account access.
 
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Juicy Box

macrumors 604
Sep 23, 2014
7,517
8,849
I wonder what other cities that the foot cameras will be used.

I would be worried to carry expensive equipment by foot on many streets in the city I am from. There is a good chance that the equipment will be involuntarily removed.
 
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