A method generates map visualizations with multiple map layers. A user selects a data source with geographic data. A device displays a data visualization user interface, including a schema information region with data fields, and shelf regions that defining characteristics for a data visualization. The user selects a first geographic data, and the user interface generates a map data visualization using coordinates associated with the first geographic data field. The visualization includes a first plurality of data marks in a first layer. The user selects a second geographic data field. In response, the user interface displays a new layer icon. Upon activation of the new layer icon by the second geographic data field, the user interface superimposes a second layer over the existing map data visualization to form an updated map data visualization. The second layer includes a second plurality of data marks corresponding to the second geographic data field.

Vehicle map service data, which includes information associated with a geographic area and sensor observations of a vehicle, can be used to perform various operations. The vehicle map service data is based on a vehicle map service protocol specifying layers associated with portions of the vehicle map service data to which each client system is subscribed. Further, the layers to which the client systems are subscribed can be determined and access to the plurality of layers to which each of the vehicle client systems is subscribed can be provided to each of the client systems. Access to the layers can include authorization to send or receive one or more portions of the vehicle map service data associated with a corresponding layer.

In one embodiment, a system monitors states of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) using a number of sensors mounted on the ADV. The system perceives a driving environment surrounding the ADV using at least a portion of the sensors. The system analyzes the states in view of the driving environment to determine a real-time traffic condition at a point in time. The system determines whether the real-time traffic condition of the driving environment matches at least a predetermined traffic condition. The system transmits data concerning the real-time traffic condition to a remote server over a network to allow the remote server to generate an updated map having real-time traffic information, in response to determining the real-time traffic condition is unknown. In response to receiving the updated map, the system plans and controls the ADV based on the updated map.

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for generating a transition variability index related to autonomous driving. In this regard, a first transition variability index is calculated. The first transition variability index is indicative of a first degree of variability in relation to transition of vehicles from respective autonomous levels while traveling proximate a first spatial reference point. Furthermore, a second transition variability index is generated. The second transition variability index is indicative of a second degree of variability in relation to transition of vehicles from respective autonomous levels while traveling along proximate a second spatial reference point. Updating of transition data associated with one of the first and second spatial reference points relative to another one of the first and second spatial reference points is then prioritized based on a comparison between the first transition variability index and the second transition variability index.

A location and mapping service is described that creates a global database of indoor navigation maps through crowd-sourcing and data fusion technologies. The navigation maps consist of a database of geo-referenced, uniquely described features in the multi-dimensional sensor space (e.g., including structural, RF, magnetic, image, acoustic, or other data) that are collected automatically as a tracked mobile device is moved through a building (e.g. a person with a mobile phone or a robot). The feature information can be used to create building models as one or more tracked devices traverse a building, to indicate signal strength throughout different parts of the building mode, and to illustrate a path of each tracked device associated with signal strength and other annotations.

For a mapping application, a method for reporting a problem related to a map displayed by the mapping application is described. The method identifies a mode in which the mapping application is operating. The method identifies a set of types of problems to report based on the identified mode. The method displays, in a display area of the mapping application, a graphical user interface (GUI) page that includes a set of selectable user interface (UI) items that represent the identified set of types of problems.

Methods, systems and applications for updating, enhancing, organizing, and utilizing geographic maps, for locating points of interest and places of businesses, or POI's. Embodiments provide a method for collecting geo-coordinate data on POIs by eliciting participation of the business owners or designated employees to identify the specific locations of POI's on a map; a map program which synchronizes to a centralized database where POI and other more frequently changing and time-dependent map information is downloaded to individual users; a map program, where in addition to the standard contact information, “qualitative” information and website links are included in an POI information box to aid in pre-qualifying a POI before selection and in booking a reservation; a method for locating markers on an Internet-based search engine map; and an improved contact management system that allows locations of contacts to be viewed on a map while minimizing address geocoding.

For a mapping application, a method for reporting a problem related to a map displayed by the mapping application is described. The method identifies a mode in which the mapping application is operating. The method identifies a set of types of problems to report based on the identified mode. The method displays, in a display area of the mapping application, a graphical user interface (GUI) page that includes a set of selectable user interface (UI) items that represent the identified set of types of problems.

There are disclosed various methods and apparatuses for multi-vehicle maneuver and impact analyses. According to an embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive sensor data from at least one motion sensor associated with a selected vehicle from a plurality of vehicles, said sensor data indicating movements of the vehicle in a geographical area; obtain from the sensor data location of the vehicle in the geographical area; maintain a vehicle location and motion database having at least three grid layers of grid cells representing at least a part of the geographical area, said grid cells of the at least three grid layers being partly overlapping so that borders of the grid cells of different grid layers have an offset between each other; map the location of the vehicle to a grid cell of each grid layer into which the location of the vehicle belongs; insert or maintaining an identifier of the vehicle in a list of vehicle identifiers for the mapped grid cell of each grid layer; and determine on the basis of the identifiers of the vehicles in the lists which other vehicles are in a proximity of said selected vehicle.

A process, and corresponding system for performing the process, is described for editing and representing property values for a digital map. The process retrieves electronic map data from a style sheet corresponding to a vector map tile set for a digital map. The process displays a plurality of templates and receives selection of a template. The process displays a visual map representing the electronic map with the set of map style layers of the selected template. The process displays a theme and a plurality of components. Each component is a set of map style layers and is a subset of the set of map style layers of the template. The process receives selection of a component. The process displays a plurality of property values associated with the selected component. The process receives an edit to a property value. The process updates the visual map to reflect the edited property value.