Volkswagen ADMT, the automaker’s autonomous-driving subsidiary, will source real-time street-level data from Bee Maps, a spatial intelligence service that runs on Hivemapper’s Solana-based mapping network.

According to Hivemapper CEO Ariel Seidman, the partnership “shifts mapping from static to living,” and that robotaxi fleets require data “that evolves as fast as the streets do.”

Bee Maps aggregates imagery from drivers who install proprietary “Bee” dashcams and upload footage that machine-learning models translate into lane markings, signage, and temporary work zones. 

Participants earn HONEY tokens for each validated segment, giving Hivemapper what it calls “the world’s freshest map data.”

Hivemapper, which records contributions on the Solana blockchain, says its network now covers a double-digit share of global roads and updates more frequently than traditional fleet-car surveys.

Bee Maps sells the resulting data through APIs that feed routing, localization, and curb-management engines used by logistics firms and, now, robotaxi developers.

The companies did not disclose financial terms, but Bee Maps’ product literature indicates that it typically charges consumption-based fees rather than long-term licenses.

Live updates required

Volkswagen ADMT operates about 30 ID.Buzz autonomous electric minivans on Hamburg streets and will add “thousands” of units in Los Angeles under an agreement with Uber that targets fully driverless service by late 2026.

Each vehicle relies on a sensor array comprising 13 cameras and nine lidars that generate approximately five gigabytes of data per second. However, it still requires external maps to localize in adverse conditions such as rain, glare, or construction.

Bee Maps will stream refreshed road features into ADMT’s perception stack, allowing test engineers to validate maneuvers such as curb-aligned pickups and last-meter drop-offs without dispatching manual survey cars.

DePIN momentum

The agreement extends a trend of decentralized physical infrastructure networks, or DePINs, supplying data to legacy industries. 

Earlier this year, Lyft began piloting Hivemapper feeds for ride-hail drop zones, and logistics firms use the API to flag height restrictions and new speed limits.

For Volkswagen, crowdsourced updates could shorten the cycle between on-road edge cases and software releases as it scales the ID.Buzz robotaxi program across Europe and North America.

No regulatory approvals are required because the data transfer occurs off-board, the person added.

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The blockchain-based space game Star Atlas is set to introduce a fleet rental system, allowing players to lease ships instead of purchasing them outright starting on March 5.

This update is intended to lower financial barriers for new players by providing an alternative to ship ownership, which previously required buying NFT-based spacecraft. With this change, players can now rent vessels to participate in mining, trading, and other in-game activities.

Those without ships can now access core gameplay elements without making a significant upfront investment, whilst ship owners have the option to generate in-game earnings by leasing out unused assets.

What is Star Atlas?

Star Atlas is a blockchain-based multiplayer game set in a futuristic space environment that combines elements of space exploration, economic management, and strategy, with an emphasis on a player-driven economy. Ships, equipment, and other in-game assets exist as NFTs, meaning they can be bought, sold, or traded on blockchain marketplaces.

Players in Star Atlas take on various roles, such as explorers, traders, or miners, participating in an open economy where resources are extracted, transported, and exchanged.

Previously, access to gameplay required purchasing at least one spaceship, often at a high cost. The upcoming introduction of the rental system changes this requirement by offering a lower-cost alternative to direct ownership.

How does the Fleet Rental work?

The new fleet rental system allows players to lease ships from others for a set period. Transactions are handled through blockchain-based smart contracts, which automatically enforce rental terms and return ships to their owners when the agreement ends.

Renters can choose from various ships suited to different in-game activities:

• Mining: Extracting resources such as Hydrogen and minerals which can be sold for profit.
• Trading and Transport: Moving goods between locations and profiting from market fluctuations.
• Logistics and Crafting: Transporting crew members and materials for manufacturing and other economic activities.

Ship owners who are not actively using their assets can list them for rent at a chosen price. The system ensures that ships remain under the owner’s control, preventing renters from reselling or permanently altering them.

The rental system is expected to change how players engage with Star Atlas, making it more accessible whilst offering new opportunities for asset utilisation. Future game updates, including combat mechanics, may further shape the role of fleet rentals within the game’s economy.