Apple Maps Begins Ground Surveys in the UK

Apple has announced that it's beginning ground surveys on the streets of London, Birmingham and Manchester to gather pedestrian data for Apple Maps, reports Bloomberg.

The company will use special backpacks that feature cameras and other sensors for collecting data. The effort begins today and will run until mid-May.

The data gathering is part of a project to improve Apple Maps and its Look Around feature, which enables app users to jump into the map and get a street-level view of an area to help navigate or find nearby businesses.


Apple revealed that areas to be surveyed include The Bullring, New Street and Edgbaston Street in Birmingham and St Peter's Square, Shambles Square and Albert Square in Manchester.

"Apple is conducting ground surveys with vehicles around the world to collect data to improve Apple Maps and to support the Look Around feature," Apple said. "These pedestrian surveys allow us to improve and update Apple Maps in areas where vehicles simply can't go while using the same privacy protections as the Apple Maps vehicles.

"We are committed to protecting your privacy while conducting these surveys. For example, we will censor faces and licence plates on images that are published in Look Around."

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