[dennisw]

Mysterious Apple minivans are mapping vehicles, experts say

adding that LIDAR mapping is becoming increasingly popular for a range of activities, from road maintenance to asset management. Godsmark said the giveaway on the mysterious Apple vans is the placement and …cultofmac.com · 1 day ago

One of the mysterious Apple vans is driving around Hawaii now

it's unlikely that Apple employees would so brazenly drive around in vans registered to the company adorned in experimental technology. The more likely explanation is that they're part of a push to develop street-level …The Business Insider · 1 day ago

High-res photos reveal mysterious Apple van's equipment package

... Apple is working to expand its in-house mapping technology with street level imaging. The first of Apple's vans were first spotted in the San Francisco Bay Area earlier this month, with subsequent sightings in New …Apple Insider · ByMikey Campbell · 2/19/2015

[Swordmaker]

Autonomous self driving vehicles are only licensed in four states. . . and Washington DC, and Hawaii is not one of them. These cars have been spotted in New York City, Chicago, and several other National Parks. . . which would give credence to the mapping and street level arguments. . . and the 3D plans. It would also give Apple a leg up on more accurate representation on its FlyOver views in 3D, gaining accurate data on ground views and building data.