Behind every successful Uber ride is a technology many of us take for granted: maps. Mobile maps and GPS allow us to match you with the closest available driver, navigate the fastest path to your destination, and give you an accurate ETA. Accurate maps are at the core of our mission: to provide reliable transport to everyone, everywhere.

Existing maps are a good starting point, but some information isn’t that relevant to Uber, like ocean topography. There are other things we need to know a lot more about, like traffic patterns and precise pickup and dropoff locations. 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.

The ongoing need for maps tailored to the Uber experience is why we’re doubling down on our investment in mapping. We’ve recently put mapping cars on the road in dozens of countries including Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia. On April 5 they hit the road in Auckland.

The street imagery captured by our mapping devices will help us improve core elements of the Uber experience, like the best routes for riders and drivers, and identify street segments that are better suited for pick-ups and drop-offs. As well as lay the groundwork for the introduction of future congestion busting products like uberPOOL.

Over the past decade mapping innovation has disrupted industries and changed daily life in ways we couldn’t have imagined. That progress will only accelerate in the coming years especially with technologies like self-driving cars. We remain excited by the prospect of how maps can put the world at our fingertips, improve everyday life, impact billions of people and enable innovations we can’t even imagine today.

To learn more about our mapping efforts or keep track of upcoming cities, visit www.uber.com/mapping.

Extending and complementing the reach of Auckland’s public transport network

Alongside investing in mapping data collection, today we’re also super excited to be partnering with Auckland Transport to help extend and complement the reach of public transport.

To give Aucklanders a more reliable and convenient option to connect with public transport, Auckland Transport and Uber have created a seamless way for local residents traditionally underserved by transport to plan door-to-door multimodal trips.

Via Auckland Transport’s Journey Planner tool, local residents will be able to use public transport timetables to synchronize Uber rides with bus, train and ferry connections.

For example, local residents can use Journey Planner to plan their complete multi-modal trip, using Uber to travel to their local train, bus or tram station and then connect with the next departing public transport service.

“Aligning ridesharing with public transport systems is one of the smartest ways to help people move around the city without the need for costly infrastructure developments or owning a personal vehicle.

Uber is working with cities and local transport systems around the world to solve the first and last mile problem, and this partnership will help feed more people into, and effectively expand the reach of existing public transport services in Auckland.” – Richard Menzies, General Manager, Uber New Zealand.