Uber’s $500M Maps Investment, Heading Off Clash With Google

Uber is reportedly planning to spend as much as $500 million on creating its own Maps technology. Right now, the ride-hailing service is using “Google Maps,” which allows Uber drivers to find passengers. However, the future is looking rocky for the two companies as their involvement in the self-driving industry practically puts them on a collision course down the road.

As PC Mag points out, using “Google Maps” has not likely placed a huge strain on Uber’s finances. It could technically keep using the service, but this could potentially place Uber at the mercy of Google, which could then use the cab hailing company’s dependence on their mapping technology as leverage. Uber just can’t have that, which explains the substantial investment in mapping.

According to a blog post by the company, its mapping technology won’t likely focus on details that are of no consequence to its services, such as oceanographic information.

“There are other things we need to know a lot more about, like traffic patterns, and precise pickup and drop-off locations,” the post read. “Moreover, we need to be able to provide a seamless experience in parts of the world where there aren't detailed maps—or street signs."

With the importance of a reliable mapping service to Uber’s success, it was only natural that the cab hailing company would want to make sure that it would want to include every single pertinent detail pertaining to its business. The company’s ambition of mapping the world has already started as well, with mapping cars already on the road.

In terms of what exactly the $500 million will be used for, Uber has not disclosed the details of the particulars. However, the cab hailing brand will likely get new partners like what it did with “DigitalGlobe” for more accurate satellite imagery, and the half a billion in investment shows how serious Uber is in achieving its goals.