Roger Fingas
Apple is reportedly deploying a new vehicle, the Subaru Impreza hatchback, to its fleet of vehicles driving the world to collect first-party Maps data.
Marked white Imprezas have been seen around Los Angeles, according to Business Insider. Although the cars are smaller, they're also distinguished by a new, extremely tall sensor rig, presumably housing standard equipment such as cameras and LIDAR.
Until now Apple has been relying on minivans. The Maps recon fleet is notably separate from the Lexus SUVs Apple has deployed for its self-driving car program.
Apple finally revealed that its vehicles were being used to create first-party maps in June. The company's Maps app started out with data from Google Maps, but ditched Google content in 2012 for a hodge-podge of sources including TomTom. Apple has frequently been criticized for missing or displaying inaccurate information, though complaints have diminished considerably in the past six years.
As a part of its improvements, the company is hoping to be faster to cope with road and construction changes, while also displaying more detail.
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15 Comments
The appendage on that Subaru reminds me of “Toad,” the mushroom character in Mario Kart.
How much does Apple pay the drivers? Would be a nice retirement job.
I wonder if this change is related to the Apple Maps van that was involved in a deadly crash earlier this year.
https://www.news-journal.com/news/police/driver-in-wreck-near-kilgore-dies-from-injuries/article_8cae4bdc-381b-11e8-ab66-771cdddaf270.html
The Subaru Impreza hatchback has a higher crash safety rating than the Ford Transit Connect.
Given the focus Apple is applying to Apple Maps in the last year, I give Apple 2 more years and Apple Maps will match or exceed Google Maps. This will coincide nicely with the auto industry's oft-stated 2020 as a launch year for autonomous cars.