Tech giant Apple is set to enhance its Apple Maps features through a comprehensive data collection initiative in Dubai, according to Khaleej Times. From March 7 to June 15, Dubai residents will notice Apple-branded vehicles and personnel equipped with advanced backpacks canvassing the city’s roads and pedestrian areas.
This initiative marks a phase in Apple’s global effort to rebuild its mapping service, incorporating sophisticated imaging and LiDAR technology for a more accurate and detailed map. The surveys target both vehicular roads and pedestrian-only zones, aiming to improve the Apple Maps experience for users and enrich the Look Around feature.
Apple has embarked on a mission to revamp its maps over recent years, driving millions of miles worldwide to gather data. The updated maps, which now include enhanced features and greater accuracy, have already been rolled out in several countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and Singapore. The UAE, having introduced Apple Maps in 2017, offers services in both English and Arabic, catering to a wide range of transportation modes.
In its statement, Apple emphasized its commitment to privacy, ensuring that data collection methods, whether via vehicles or on foot, adhere to strict privacy standards. Faces and license plates in collected imagery will be obscured to protect individuals’ identities.