Lyft reinforces its strategy to move away from legacy mapping providers by integrating Bee Maps’ decentralized, real-time mapping systems

Quotes that support claims

Lyft has previously invested in open-source mapping through contributions to OpenStreetMap, and the Bee Maps partnership points to its continued push toward more flexible and real-time mapping systems, independent of legacy providers.

Bee Maps is an application built on top of the Hivemapper network, which is part of the growing DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) movement, which leverages blockchain incentives to crowdsource the development of real-world infrastructure. In Bee Maps’ case, contributors earn crypto rewards for collecting street-level imagery using Hivemapper cameras. This data is processed with AI to extract important features—like road signs, lane markings, and construction zones—which are continuously updated on the platform.

“Lyft recognized that old-school mapping couldn't keep up with the real world,” Ariel Seidman, co-founder and CEO of Bee Maps, said in the post. “For mobility to work and for autonomy to become reality, maps can't be an afterthought—they need to be crowdsourced, live, accurate, and open.”

Related topics

Partnerships & collaborations