Uber mapping Singapore as preparation for driverless cars
Uber has announced that it is developing 3D maps of Singapore using an Uber vehicle with cameras and mapping equipment attached. The ride-hailing business wants to use the data in developing autonomous vehicles, which will need more precise information than human drivers, especially about pick-up and drop-off points. The data will also help Uber to better understand traffic patterns. Currently Uber relies heavily upon Google Maps, but has so far invested $500m in developing its own system. Uber now has cars mapping roads across five continents.
Uber announced today that it would begin generating its own 3D maps of Singapore. This was the latest in a blizzard of news surrounding the ride-hail company’s increased investment in mapping, the goals of which appear to be twofold: outpace Google, and lay the groundwork for Uber’s fleet of self-driving cars.

To map Singapore, Uber says it will be attaching cameras and mapping equipment to vehicles that are already being used to drive on the ride-sharing platform. That way Uber says it won’t be adding any new cars to the road. Better maps help the company gain an improved understanding of traffic patterns and precise pick-up and drop-off locations, while also helping to facilitate the coming transition to driverless vehicles.

“mapping innovation has disrupted industries and changed daily life in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

“Over the past decade, mapping innovation has disrupted industries and changed daily life in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I started,” said Manik Gupta, head of product, in a blog post. “That progress will only accelerate in the coming years especially with technologies like self-driving cars.”

Uber’s customers have been known to be hyper aware of their own privacy as the company seeks to expand its efforts for more precise data. Some users pushed back against Uber’s request for permission to collect location data even when they are not using the app. As such, the company said that its mapping vehicles won’t retain any imagery at or around pick-up or final drop-off locations. “There is no plan to make the imagery or other data collected available to the public,” Gupta said.