Uber started out as a service that enables people to hail a ride that can prove to be cheaper than a traditional taxi in some cases, but the company does more than just provide a platform to connect drivers with riders. It’s heavily invested in self-driving cars as well as mapping, and the company has confirmed that it has started mapping roads in London.
Special Uber cars that are fitted with mapping equipment will now be seen on the streets in London. The idea behind this endeavor is to improve Uber’s ability to match riders with drivers. Having its own mapping data will enable Uber to ensure that drivers can reach riders quickly and that the latter can be provided with a more accurate estimated time of arrival.
Uber just won’t be mapping the roads to make this happen. It’s also going to analyze traffic patterns as well as map precise pick-up and drop-off locations to achieve this goal. The company is already running a similar mapping program in several major cities across the United States and is also planning on expanding the efforts to Toronto and Mexico City in the future.
As far as its self-driving ambitions are concerned, Uber’s autonomous cars are already picking up passengers in Pittsburgh as part of the first public trial of its self-driving technology.
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