Volkswagen’s autonomous-vehicle division, ADMT, has partnered with Hivemapper’s Bee Maps to provide essential real-time mapping data for its self-driving systems. The imagery amassed by contributors to Bee Maps, utilizing Hivemapper cameras, will assist in validating the technology behind Volkswagen’s autonomous driving, enhancing curbside pick-up and drop-off precision, according to a representative of Bee Maps.

Key Details:

• ADMT employs crowdsourced geospatial data to elevate its autonomous operations.
• Contributors to Bee Maps earn cryptocurrency rewards for supplying street-level imagery, aiding in the verification of Volkswagen’s autonomous technology.
• This collaboration signifies the growing prominence of crowdsourced geospatial data and decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) within the realm of autonomous ride-sharing.

“This is a shift from static to living maps,” stated Ariel Seidman, the CEO of Hivemapper. “We recognize that real-world autonomy depends on high-quality data that evolves as fast as the streets do.”

Although Volkswagen’s autonomous taxi fleet has undergone tests recently, they also secured a collaboration with Uber for services in U.S. markets, set to pilot by late 2025 and fully launch in 2026. Through Bee Maps, contributors are rewarded with crypto for their efforts, and AI processes the images to maintain data freshness.