SAN FRANCISCO—On Friday, October 12, Apple Maps workers were spotted in downtown San Francisco with tracking backpacks. The backpacks contain cameras, LADAR (Light Detection and Radar) sensors, cameras, and other hi-tech features.
The goal of the research is to help create an advanced mapping system that gives the user a better understanding of road conditions, foot traffic, and construction sites in the San Francisco region. The new upgrade will be targeted for pedestrians to route the streets.
Engadget reported the new, advanced features should debut in the fall for Northern California, and branch out. The city of San Francisco will be first to take on these changes. It is not known rather or not the new feature will include all of the data gathered from the backpack.
