BANGALORE, INDIA: Uber is getting serious about building its own mapping tech.
The ride service provider, Uber reportedly has acquired some of the mapping technology from Microsoft.
The deal size has not been disclosed so far, but it reportedly involves part of the team and technology behind Bing Maps. Microsoft is apparently transfering its imagery acquisition operations of Bing Maps, which powers some of the satellite, 3D and street views feature within Bing Maps.
About 100 Microsoft employees also will join Uber as a result of the deal, who work mainly on image collection, data analysis and processing, etc.
Uber's app relies on maps of Google, Apple and Baidu, but Uber has been trying to build out its own mapping team recently to reduce its dependency on others.
Uber was reportedly amongst the suitors for Nokia's HERE maps. It also hired the former head of Google Maps, Brian McClendon earlier this month.
So, now, Uber takes one step forward to this with Microsoft's mapping team and data center and cameras and patents, which will help it to expand its in-house technology to enhance its ride services further.