BS: Apple is road mapping in the UK

Subject: BS: Apple is road mapping in the UK
From: Mr Red
Date: 14 May 18 - 03:54 AM

Yesterday I saw an unusual people carrier sized white van, bristling with Lidar whirring at each corner of the roof and cameras front, back & sides. And a white lump mid roof.

With camera unavailable in short order I went looking for what it was and found this pic that looked like the beast, pretty much exactly. Though maybe for UK roads it had the steering wheel on the correct side.

I read reports of it in Scotland. Have you been Appled?

Subject: RE: BS: Apple is road mapping in the UK
From: David Carter (UK)
Date: 14 May 18 - 03:57 AM

What is the point of two separate companies both dong this?

Subject: RE: BS: Apple is road mapping in the UK
From: Senoufou
Date: 14 May 18 - 04:00 AM

What is it for Mr Red? Aren't there already maps of absolutely everywhere? If it comes to our village we shall have to stop gardening in the nude in front of our bungalow....

Subject: RE: BS: Apple is road mapping in the UK
From: Mr Red
Date: 14 May 18 - 07:33 AM

Apple made a pig's ear of their mapping a few years ago, and had to rely on Nokia Maps. And for Street-level views they want to get away from Goggle Earth. Apple are lousy with cash and are investing in all sorts like a Canadian alumin(i)um smelter with a more efficient process.

And Goggle did not use LIDAR on their mapping cars, relying on software to stitch the images. With LIDAR Apple can cloak the 3D with the images to make a more realistic picture, and smoother experience.

AND

Though Apple insist they are not in the automotive business, they freely admit to wanting their software and AI expertise to be used in car manufacturers' products. Self-driving cars will benefit from LIDAR data that is already logged, and make on-board LIDAR more reliable. Or simpler.

Subject: RE: BS: Apple is road mapping in the UK
From: Jack Campin
Date: 14 May 18 - 08:32 AM

I feel sorry for their drivers. Imagine having one pedal for accelerator, brake and clutch, and having the dashboard info reduced to a loudspeaker that goes BONG.

Subject: RE: BS: Apple is road mapping in the UK
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 15 May 18 - 05:03 PM

Reminds me that I need to update my satnav (inbuilt so I can't just take it out and connect to computer, and do it myself.)
Driving the new stretch of the M8 appears to be through a ploughed field, and the new Queensferry Crossing is amphibious!

Subject: RE: BS: Apple is road mapping in the UK
From: Will Fly
Date: 16 May 18 - 04:51 AM

Hang on, Eliza, I'll just get my camera and catch you both behind the Hollyhocks... address please!

Subject: RE: BS: Apple is road mapping in the UK
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 May 18 - 05:25 AM

amphibious

I knew a man who walked across the river Severn. Mind you he did it in 1976 during the drought at a place called (cluette) "the Passage". Where they used to drive cattle to Gloucester to avoid the toll bridge.

And in BBC's Top Gear they did one of their stunts where a man raced a car. The man in wet suit walked across the Humber while the car did the land route (not the Bridge). I think it was, sort of, Barton on Humber to Hull (Kingston upon thereof).
The guy was a tall guy but at low tide his head was above water.

Subject: RE: BS: Apple is road mapping in the UK
From: Senoufou
Date: 17 May 18 - 05:30 AM

Hahahaha Will! There's no hollyhock on Earth wide enough to hide me in all my glory! I suppose we'll have to wear strategically-placed rhubarb leaves in case we frighten the local dogs and cats.

Subject: RE: BS: Apple is road mapping in the UK
From: Senoufou
Date: 17 May 18 - 05:34 AM

Ha Tattie. I was on the phone to my sister yesterday, and you mustn't mention the new Queensferry Crossing to her - it makes her grind her teeth. She says it's cost the absolute Earth and now the Sturgeon is proposing raising taxes to pay for it.
But she's just bought a brand new Ford Focus, and she says it can do over 100mph. And the Queensferry crossing is apparently a motorway, so she proposes to try and do a ton going across it. She's quite mad, but you can't do anything with her.