Uber is investing $500M in alternative to current maps like Google's

Uber wants more information from mapping technologies, including more data on traffic patterns and precise pickup and dropoff locations.

The ride-hailing company that introduced mapping cars in the U.S. last year -- and more recently in Mexico -- now plans to extend the initiative soon in other countries as well, according to Brian McClendon, the former head of Google maps, who was hired by the ride-hailing company.

“Accurate maps are at the heart of our service and the backbone of our business,” McClendon said in a blog post. Uber wouldn’t exist if interactive digital maps hadn’t been there first, he added.

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