Method used by Google Maps to verify speed limit changes and more is pure genius

To be clear, we’re talking about short, soundless video clips recorded by dashcam cameras. The companies from which these dash cam videos originate use these clips for their own operations. They may use the clips when investigating accidents, or the companies may sell dash cam devices to consumers. By agreeing to provide Google with dashcam images, Google received evidence that changes were needed to the Google Maps app.

Google says it will only ask for images when there are indications that an area needs to be updated with Google Maps. It can ask dashcams to take videos covering specific areas of the road, such as those containing speed limit signs. If a trusted partner has dash cam footage showing this specific speed limit sign, Google can use it to verify whether the speed limit shown in Google Maps for this specific area needs to be updated.

Google uses a combination of artificial intelligence and help from its operations teams to leverage the information it receives from its dash cam partners. Google said it would extract the information and update Google Maps before deleting the image. Currently, Google works with two dashcam imaging partners: Nextbase and Geopost Vision. The former is a British company that sells dash cams, and the latter is a leading parcel delivery company.

Google says it follows a number of rules to ensure the privacy of dashcam footage. For example, it only uses authorized content from trusted sources. Google and its trusted partners blur any images that contain personal information, such as license plates and identifiable faces. All contributors are informed about dash cam usage, and consumers can opt in if they agree to share dash cam footage to update Google Maps. Google said that in order to comply with its privacy rules, its request was limited to short clips on public roads, but only if it needed to update Google Maps.

Will Google finally look for partners in the US? It’s unclear whether Google plans to expand the use of dash cam footage to other regions outside the UK to update Google Maps