GroundTruth
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The Apple "ground truth" mapping team is out there...
The classic sci-fi series "The X-Files" was based on the premise that "the truth is out there," and nowhere is that saying more true than in data for mapping systems. It takes a team of experts, known as "ground truth local experts," to make sure that what shows up on digital maps is what actually exists in reality. A number of new job postings are out on the Apple website now, hiring a team of those ground truth local experts around the world. As noted on MacRumors, the job description for the local experts is as follows: The Maps team is looking for people with a passion for mapping, great testing skills, and deep regional knowledge to help us build better and better maps. In this position, you will be responsible for the quality assessment of Apple Maps for your region, including both data and map services. You will monitor changes to our maps, provide feedback on unique local map requirements, collect ground truth information, and evaluate competing products. Applicants need to have a bachelor's or equivalent college degree, experience in quality assurance, and "detailed knowledge of the unique features of your local area, including preferred place names, prominent businesses, public services, seasonal events, driving routes, landmarks, and road names." The hiring will provide additional accuracy to Apple's maligned mapping service. Back in March, the company hired a group of managers to head up the new Maps Ground Truth team. [via MacRumors]
Apple hiring managers to improve iOS Maps 'Ground Truth'
Last year's release of Apple's Maps app in iOS 6 was met with a number of complaints about the accuracy of maps and directions generated by the app, leading to a public apology from CEO Tim Cook and a clamor for Google Maps when that app was released several months later. Now Apple is posting job openings for "Maps Ground Truth Managers" for seven key regions of the world to ensure and improve the accuracy of the Maps database. Ground Truth refers to data captured on location to help validate geographic information collected through remote sensing by satellites or aircraft. In this case, Apple is looking for managers who will run teams with responsibilities including (info from US listing): Testing new releases of map code and data around the US Collecting ground truth data to allow for analysis of the impact of potential map code or data changes relative to known truth Utilizing local expertise to provide feedback about US-specific mapping details Evaluating competing products in-region relative to our maps While the postings include managers for teams for the US, Western Europe, Japan, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Americas and Middle East/Africa regions, these software engineering positions are all located in Cupertino.
Google updates Maps for 10 European countries and regions, claims 27.9 million miles of road under its belt
Google's just flipped the switch on updates for its maps of ten European countries and regions: Andorra, Bulgaria, Estonia, Gibraltar, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. As part of Page And Co.'s Ground Truth project, the refresh increases the accuracy and detail of maps by combining human input with a wide array of data, such as satellite and Street View imagery. With the refresh, Google's cartography has been spruced up with building outlines, walking paths, ferry lines, park boundaries, new highways and more. The update brings the number of countries mapped as part of the search titan's Ground Truth initiative to 40, and pushes the total number of miles of road cataloged in Google Maps to 27.9 million.
Google Maps creation put under the microscope, reveals a human touch
They say you should never learn how the sausage gets made, but we're willing to make an exception for Google Maps. Talking to The Atlantic, Google has revealed just how much the human element figures into all that collected satellite imagery and road data. Many pieces of terrain information are tested and modified against what Google calls Ground Truth: actual driving, alternate sources and sign photos automatically extracted from Street View runs. Google isn't just making the occasional correction, either. Mapping a country can take hundreds of staff plugging away at the company's Atlas tool, even before we get a crack with Google Map Maker. The combination of man and machine helps explain why Google Maps is one of the most accurate sources of location information on Earth -- although the firm does have some catching up to do in space.
