Uber is investing $500 million in its own mapping project; will be separate from Google Maps

Google Maps just is not good enough for Uber , so Uber is creating its own map of the world that is tailor made for Uber’s needs. Uber needs a lot more detail in areas where humans live and Uber services are used. These include precise directions, drop off points, and traffic patterns. Uber does not need the information in maps for remote locations, or topographic features in the oceans. Uber also wants to bring a safe, secure and reliable experience in those areas of the world that are not yet accurately mapped on Google Maps. For this reason, Uber has decided to invest in it’s own mapping project. Uber is spending $500 million (roughly Rs 3336 Crore) on its own global mapping project, according to a report in the Financial Times. These are done through mapping vehicles that are similarly equipped to Street View cars. The cars started by mapping in the United States, but are on the roads in Mexico as well. Uber plans to deploy these vehicles all around the world. Brian McClendon is the person who developed a lot of the underlying technology used by Google Maps. He was the co-founder of Keyhole, a geospatial data visualisation company purchased by Google to make Google Earth . McClendon is now working on Uber’s global mapping project to create maps customised for the Uber experience.