Apple is set to send a number of its mapping vehicles out on Irish roads again over the coming week as part of a major rebuild of its Maps app.
From May 1 to June 20, the vehicles will be traversing the country capturing 3D images and location data to refresh its mapping software.
The company says that when complete, the update will provide Irish users with better navigation, detail and more accurate place information in the app, which is competitor to Google Maps.
"Apple is conducting ground surveys with vehicles around the world to collect data to improve Apple Maps and to support the Look Around feature," it said.
"Vehicle surveys may use equipment mounted on the outside of vehicles as well as iPhones, iPads, or other devices inside of vehicles."
"We may periodically revisit and re-collect data in some of those locations in an effort to maintain a high-quality, up-to-date map."
In recent years the vehicles that are equipped with image and LIDAR equipment have driven millions of miles gathering the data as they go.
New maps have already been released in US, Canada, Australia and Singapore, with Ireland among the next countries on the roadmap.
The company said it is committed to protecting the privacy of people as it collects the data.
"For example, we will censor faces and license plates on images that are published in Look Around," it said.
As well as using vehicles Apple also conducts the surveys using portable backpack systems in some pedestrian areas, such as those in big cities that cannot be driven.
