Google Maps Launches Ground Truth Initiative In Russia & Hong Kong

Google Maps announced new updates to their Russia and Hong Kong maps today, launching a “Ground Truth” initiative to build more thorough maps for Hong Kong and a number of Russian cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg.

According to Google’s announcement:

Ground Truth enables us to update a country’s map at a faster pace to provide you with an up-to-date map that mirrors the real world as closely as possible. Ground Truth also makes it possible for you to contribute your local knowledge to the map and report any issues you find through the Report a Problem tool, so together we can build a better map.

The newly updated maps will include more details for places like hospitals, national parks and universities. Citing a map for Russia’s Moscow State University, Google says users will be able to see things like clearly marked walking paths and labels for different department buildings.

Moscow University campus

Using a map of Hong Kong’s Victoria Park as an example, Google highlights how both regions will now have detailed maps of national parks and historical landmarks.

Hong Kong’s Victoria Park

Google has also added new maps for more than 50 Russian towns, while existing Russian maps have been updated with street names and traffic details, marking turn restrictions and one-way streets.

St. Petersburg traffic map

Another new Google Maps feature includes ferry route maps with points of interests and transportation options for each area.

Hong Kong Ferry Routes