Apple to begin another leg of ground survey in India to improve Maps

With all the minute information, Apple Maps will help people reach the right destination without losing time.

In a bid to improve the navigation service on its Maps application in India, Apple since November 2024 has been carrying out surveying of roads across multiple states.

It uses cars (with mounted cameras) and official personnel with specialised camera-and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors-equipped backpacks to get accurate markings of the road. They will also use iPads, iPhones or other devices to collect the data. 

Next week, survey executives are expected to start another round of excursions in Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, Mumbai and other cities with portable Apple backpacks, as part of the Maps rebuild programme.

So, if you spot them with odd-looking backpacks on the roads, don't get frightened. They working to deliver better navigation service on Apple Maps.

They will travel with a portable backpack system to collect imagery and LiDAR data for accurate geo-tagging of roads in areas where it is difficult for vehicles to drive.

They will collect data on pedestrian-only streets, parks, plazas, etc., and transit stations where this data can be used to create 2-D maps and improve the Apple Maps' Look Around feature.

With all the minute information, Apple Maps will help people reach the correct destination faster.

Like in Apple devices, the Cupertino-based company's top priority is user privacy. While conducting the survey, proper mechanism is put in place to protect bystanders' faces and vehicles. It will blur faces and license plates on collected images before publishing them on Apple Maps.

Apple has published data on the schedule of surveys (here) being carried out in India. It plans to carry out a ground survey of roads in Assam, Bihar, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Odisha from March 1 and conclude either by the month's end or by April 30.

In Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura, it is expected to start from April 1 and conclude by April 30, 2025.

In states such as Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal, the surveys started on November 18 and are scheduled to end on March 31.

It should be noted that Hyderabad is home to Apple Maps development office.

Not just in India, Apple is carrying out similar surveys worldwide. It has also already released new Maps for Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and more.

Apple Maps will be updating more and more countries in the coming months.

Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps, cybersecurity, and more on personal technology only on DH Tech