Uber spends 380m to map the world

Uber has announced it will invest half a billion dollars ( 380m) for its own version of Google maps. The ride-hailing firm is set to wean itself off of Google's cartographic offering in order to develop a more relevant version for its drivers, according to a recent blog post. It claims the new maps will enable drivers to more accurately pinpoint pickup and dropoff locations, as well as to see average traffic conditions of routes in order to plot the best route. Ride-hailing firm Uber (stock image pictured) is set to wean itself off of Google's cartographic offering in order to develop a more relevant version of maps for its drivers The San Francisco-based ride hailing firm has announced its plans to spend 380m ( 500m) to produce its own street maps worldwide. Uber has said the maps will contain more relevant information for drivers than Google maps, including traffic flow and improved accuracy for pickups.