Abstract: A method is provided for using sensor data that is consistent with the model to verify the model, and using sensor data that is different from the model to identify regions of the model requiring updates. Methods include: receiving observation data associated with a geographic area; comparing the observation data with a model of the geographic area; in response to the observation data failing to correspond to the model of the geographic area, identifying the observation data as novel data; in response to the observation data corresponding to the model of the geographic area, identifying the observation data as same data; using the novel data to update a map of a map database to form an updated map; and for observation data identified as same data, maintaining the map of the map database without using the same data to update the map.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for analyzing sensor data from roads of the road network to monitor sensor data usage, which can in turn be used for value estimation and compensation for data usage. Methods may include: aggregating observations and vehicle paths from sensor data from data sources; determining observation counts for each of the data sources; collapsing aggregated vehicle paths to road topology by travel direction; assigning the observation counts to a nearest road topology; projecting an observation count for each of the data sources along a predetermined distance unit of the road topology to form observation intervals, each observation interval including a respective observation count; iterating over the road topology using the observation intervals to establish observation intervals and their respective observation counts; and determining a value of the sensor data based on lengths of the observation intervals and their respective observation counts.

Abstract: A method is provided to ensure continuity of features through spatially partitioned maps. Methods may include: identifying a map element extending from a first map tile to a second map tile; determining a first set of continuous features of the map element in the first map tile; determining a second set of continuous features of the map element in the second map tile; identifying a first set of locations in a plane separating the first map tile from the second map tile where the first set of continuous features intersect the plane; identifying a second set of locations where the second set of continuous features intersect the plane; correlating the first set of continuous features with the second set of continuous features; blending the first and second set of continuous features; and updating map data including the first map tile and the second map tile with a blended map element.

Abstract: Methods described herein relate to disambiguating objects for a particular location. Methods may include receiving, from a vehicle, an indication of an object associated with an object classification for the object in view of the vehicle. The object classification is further associated with an object type. The method further includes receiving, from the vehicle, information pertaining to one or more other objects of the same object type within a predefined distance of the object; determining an expectation count for the object type based at least in part on a count of the object and the one or more objects of the same object type for the particular location; and disambiguating one or more object classifications from a plurality of object classifications based at least in part on the expectation count. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: Methods described herein relate to updating a map model. Methods may include receiving data from a vehicle pertaining to a location; comparing the received data pertaining to the location to historical data pertaining to the same location; and based at least in part upon a comparison of the received data pertaining to the location and the historical data pertaining to the same location, generating an internal model for the location. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: Methods described herein relate to disambiguating objects for a particular location. Methods may include receiving, from a vehicle, an indication of an object associated with an object classification for the object in view of the vehicle. The object classification is further associated with an object type. The method further includes receiving, from the vehicle, information pertaining to one or more other objects of the same object type within a predefined distance of the object; determining an expectation count for the object type based at least in part on a count of the object and the one or more objects of the same object type for the particular location; and disambiguating one or more object classifications from a plurality of object classifications based at least in part on the expectation count. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided to ensure continuity of features through spatially partitioned maps. Methods may include: identifying a map element extending from a first map tile to a second map tile; determining a first set of continuous features of the map element in the first map tile; determining a second set of continuous features of the map element in the second map tile; identifying a first set of locations in a plane separating the first map tile from the second map tile where the first set of continuous features intersect the plane; identifying a second set of locations where the second set of continuous features intersect the plane; correlating the first set of continuous features with the second set of continuous features; blending the first and second set of continuous features; and updating map data including the first map tile and the second map tile with a blended map element.

Abstract: An approach is provided for a campaign management platform to update map data. The approach, for example, involves receiving, by the campaign management platform, a map update request to update the digital map data for a geographic area. The approach also involves generating a sensor data request specifying a sensor data collection event to be performed within the geographic area. The sensor data collection event is part of a campaign to update the digital map for the geographic area. The approach further involves transmitting the sensor data request to a target number of vehicles. The target number of vehicles perform the sensor data collection event in the geographic area to collect sensor data. The approach further involves processing the sensor data to update the digital map data for the geographic area.

Abstract: An approach is provided for creating an interface for a campaign management platform to transmit a sensor data request for digital map data. The approach, for example, involves retrieving, by the campaign management platform, the sensor data request specifying a sensor data collection event to be performed on a road segment, a geographic area, or a combination thereof. The approach involves publishing the sensor data request to the interface. The interface comprises a plurality of layers including an active request layer, a newly published request layer, a revoked request layer, or a combination thereof. A plurality of vehicles, a manufacturer platform associated with the plurality of vehicles, or a combination thereof accesses at least one of the plurality of layers to fulfill the sensor data request. The publishing, for example, can be performed according to publishing time cadence or period.

Abstract: An approach is provided for using a campaign management platform to discover undiscovered geographic regions. The approach, for example, involves determining, by the campaign management platform, a geographic area with no known road segments represented in a geographic database, with a number of known road segments below a first threshold value, or where a likelihood of undiscovered road segments is above second threshold value. The approach also involves generating a sensor data request specifying a sensor data collection event to be performed within the geographic area. The sensor data collection event is part of a campaign to discover the digital map data for the geographic area. The approach further involves transmitting the sensor data request to a plurality of vehicles. The plurality of vehicles performs the sensor data collection event in the geographic area to collect sensor data. The approach further involves processing the sensor data to generate the digital map data for the geographic area.

Abstract: An approach is provided for a campaign management platform to validate map data. The approach, for example, involves determining, by the campaign management platform, a road segment that has been previously mapped in a geographic database. The approach also involves generating a sensor data request specifying a sensor data collection event to be performed on the road segment. The sensor data collection event is part of a campaign to validate the digital map data for the road segment, a geographic area including the road segment, or a combination thereof. The approach further involves transmitting the sensor data request to a target number of vehicles. The target number of vehicles perform the sensor data collection event on the road segment to collect sensor data. The approach further involves processing the sensor data to validate the digital map data for the road segment.

Abstract: An approach is provided for creating an interface for a campaign management platform to transmit a sensor data request for digital map data. The approach, for example, involves retreiving, by the campaign management platform, the sensor data request specifying a sensor data collection event to be performed on a road segment, a geographic area, or a combination thereof. The approach involves publishing the sensor data request to the interface. The interface comprises a plurality of layers including an active request layer, a newly published request layer, a revoked request layer, or a combination thereof. A plurality of vehicles, a manufacturer platform associated with the plurality of vehicles, or a combination thereof accesses at least one of the plurality of layers to fulfill the sensor data request. The publishing, for example, can be performed according to publishing time cadence or period.

Abstract: An approach is provided for a campaign management platform to update map data. The approach, for example, involves receiving, by the campaign management platform, a map update request to update the digital map data for a geographic area. The approach also involves generating a sensor data request specifying a sensor data collection event to be performed within the geographic area. The sensor data collection event is part of a campaign to update the digital map for the geographic area. The approach further involves transmitting the sensor data request to a target number of vehicles. The target number of vehicles perform the sensor data collection event in the geographic area to collect sensor data. The approach further involves processing the sensor data to update the digital map data for the geographic area.

Abstract: An approach is provided for using a campaign management platform to discover undiscovered geographic regions. The approach, for example, involves determining, by the campaign management platform, a geographic area with no known road segments represented in a geographic database, with a number of known road segments below a first threshold value, or where a likelihood of undiscovered road segments is above second threshold value. The approach also involves generating a sensor data request specifying a sensor data collection event to be performed within the geographic area. The sensor data collection event is part of a campaign to discover the digital map data for the geographic area. The approach further involves transmitting the sensor data request to a plurality of vehicles. The plurality of vehicles performs the sensor data collection event in the geographic area to collect sensor data. The approach further involves processing the sensor data to generate the digital map data for the geographic area.