Apple Acquires GPS Startup Coherent Navigation; Addition Of One More Mapping Firm Aimed At Reducing Reliance On Google Maps

Apple confirmed the acquisition of Coherent Navigation, a Bay Area company specializing in high accuracy GPS and navigation technologies on May 17, according to reports.

The news on acquisition was first reported by Mac Rumors and a New York Times report quoted Apple saying, “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”

Coherent Navigation was established in 2008 and the firm specializes in creating commercial navigation services based on partnerships with companies like Boeing and Iridium, the satellite network operator, reports The New York Times.

Coherent Navigation has worked on high precision navigation systems that are accurate within three to five meters, according to the New York Times report. Some of the other projects of Coherent Navigation include an autonomous navigation and robotics projects and projects for the Defense Department, reports the New York Times.

According to Mac Rumors report, key employees of Coherent Navigation, including tech veteran and CEO Paul Lego, co-founder William Bencze and Brett Ledvina, recently started working for Apple. Coherent had also taken its website offline but on April 30, the servers for the domain were updated pointing to Apple’s servers, reports Mac Rumors.

With the purchase of Coherent Navigation, Apple has added one more mapping firm under its roof. In 2009, Apple acquired Placebase, a small mapping firm, in order to create its in-house mapping technology, reports Slash Gear. After that, the tech giant purchased many location service firms like Locationary, Embark and Hopstop, mentions Slash Gear.

With these acquisitions, Apple wants to reduce its reliance on Google Maps and in 2012, Apple released its own mapping service with the use of in-house technology and some licensed from Dutch digital mapping firm TomTom, reports the New York Times.

As per the New York Times report, many tech companies have been working towards offering location based services. Ride-hailing company Uber had opened an institute for autonomous car research in Pittsburgh in February, reports the New York Times.

The New York Times also points out that some German automakers had recently clubbed in to compete with Uber to purchase ‘Nokia Here,’ which is the digital mapping division of Nokia.

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