This week, Apple has started to undertake new surveys from people walking with specially designed backpacks, the units have sensors and cameras and is used to collect data in order to improve Apple Maps, it’ll also likely enable more data for ‘Look Around’ – similar to Google’s Street View.

Apple has been doing these surveys from pedestrian levels here in the UK since 2019 but as of this week, the company is expanding its rollout to Berkshire, West Midlands, Greater London, Greater Manchester and Staffordshire.

Like anything Apple does, customer privacy is at the forefront so these data collection efforts will respect people’s privacy, blurring number plates and faces where appropriate. Surveys started this week and will be taking place until 20th May.