Apple Reportedly Plans To Use Drones To Improve Its Maps Service

(RTTNews) - Apple Inc. (AAPL) plans to use drones and new indoor navigation features to improve its Maps service and catch longtime leader Google, Bloomberg reported citing people familiar with the matter.

Apple is assembling a team of robotics and data-collection experts that will use drones to capture and update map information faster than its existing fleet of camera-and-sensor ladened minivans, the report said.

The report indicated that Apple wants to fly drones around to do things like examine street signs, track changes to roads and monitor if areas are under construction. The data collected would be sent to Apple teams that rapidly update the Maps app to provide fresh information to users.

Apple is also developing new features for Maps, including views inside buildings and improvements to car navigation, the report said.