A new report today from Swedish news service Rapidus (via Tech.eu) claims that Apple has been quietly increasing its presence in Lund, Sweden with a focus on an "advanced mapping technology" that aims to further improve Apple Maps . The company is reportedly working out of a new R&D center in the city said to have launched last November.

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Now, a report from news agency Rapidus claims Apple has been quietly ramping up its operations in Lund, a city near Malmö in Sweden, where it is apparently working on 'advanced mapping technology'. Reports that Apple had set up a relatively secretive R&D center in Lund first surfaced in November last year, but it's always been unclear what was being worked on over there.

The news today points toward continued improvements for Apple Maps, which is currently seeing a significant amount of investment from Apple. The company has in recent months expanded its fleet of vans surveying streets around the United States and other countries with a variety of sensors. Apple confirmed over the summer that the data collected from the vehicles will be used to improve Apple Maps in the future, likely with street-level imagery similar to Google's Street View.

Top Rated Comments

Mavelous Avatar
101 months ago
Where are we in the whole "Apple Maps Data Needs Fixing" thing? I've used Maps as a SatNav since iOS 7 when I got my first iPhone, and have never had a problem with it.
Great. every time I use my maps app I'm gonna be led to IKEA
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thekeyring Avatar
101 months ago
Where are we in the whole "Apple Maps Data Needs Fixing" thing? I've used Maps as a SatNav since iOS 7 when I got my first iPhone, and have never had a problem with it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jsameds Avatar
101 months ago
A "Streetview from Apple" is what I'm waiting for.

I imagine it will be integrated with FlyOver for a seamless transition between maps and streetview, and that you'll be able to roam freely through the roads as opposed to teleporting from bubble to bubble as is the case with Google's.

It's gonna be so cool! :cool:
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Keane16 Avatar
101 months ago
I am happy to see the continued investment in maps. Still I am curious why Sweden? Seems like a strange place to develop maps, but I guess, whatever.
The question should be why not Sweden. Excellent country, with a strong background in Tech and Science.

In particular Lund has an great research University which I imagine makes it a hotbed for talent? Just a guess though.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lund_University#Academics

"According to the book, The Flight of the Creative Class, by the U.S. urban studies, Professor Richard Florida ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Florida') of University of Toronto ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Toronto'), Sweden is ranked as having the best creativity ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creativity') in Europe for business and is predicted to become a talent magnet for the world's most purposeful workers. The book compiled an index to measure the kind of creativity it claims is most useful to business – talent, technology and tolerance"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Sweden

I'm glad Apple is expanding globally, with this and the R&D Center in Israel. Helps tap into local talent.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lincolntran Avatar
101 months ago
Great. every time I use my maps app I'm gonna be led to IKEA
Every time I looked for a Target near my house, Google Map takes me to a child care center. Google Map has taken me to wrong places in more times than I care to count. Apple Map has improved a lot since launch and I use it most of the time now.


I'd use Apple Maps if my address or even my street were on the map. 2 years of reporting the bug/error have got me nowhere.
I feel your pain. Other people has better luck with reporting in details like street address, gps location, etc. when sending in the bug.


A "Streetview from Apple" is what I'm waiting for.

I imagine it will be integrated with FlyOver for a seamless transition between maps and streetview, and that you'll be able to roam freely through the roads as opposed to teleporting from bubble to bubble as is the case with Google's.

It's gonna be so cool! :cool:
You know Apple, they try to provide a great experience while Google just throw a bunch of buttons and arrows together and call it a day.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2457282 Avatar
101 months ago
because Apple acquired a mapping company in sweden...?

http://9to5mac.com/2011/10/29/apple-acquired-mind-blowing-3d-mapping-company-c3-technologies-looking-to-take-ios-maps-to-the-next-level/
Thanks. I was not aware of the purchase, but that explains everything nicely.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)