Volkswagen Taps Solana-Based DePIN Project Hivemapper’s Bee Maps for Driverless Data

Volkswagen ADMT, the carmaker’s autonomous-vehicle testing subsidiary, has tapped Hivemapper’s Bee Maps to support its self-driving operations with real-time mapping data.

Street-level imagery collected by Bee Maps contributors using Hivemapper cameras will be used to help validate Volkswagen’s self-driving technology in an effort to boost the curbside precision of autonomous pick-ups and drop-offs, a Bee Maps spokesperson told CoinDesk.

The deal highlights the growing adoption of crowdsourced geospatial data as autonomous ride-sharing firms look for more precise, up-to-date mapping infrastructure. It also showcases the growth of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), which use blockchain incentives to crowdsource real-world data collection. Hivemapper is one of the best-known DePIN projects in the Solana ecosystem.

“This is a shift from static to living maps,” said Ariel Seidman, CEO of Hivemapper, in a statement shared with CoinDesk. “We recognize that real-world autonomy depends on high-quality data that evolves as fast as the streets do.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, Volkswagen’s autonomous driving unit has been testing its ‘Robotaxi’ fleet in recent months. In April, the company also announced a partnership with Uber to launch the service in U.S. markets, with pilot operations set for late 2025 and a wider rollout planned for 2026.

Contributors to Bee Maps, which is built on the Hivemapper network, earn crypto rewards for their efforts. AI then processes the images to detect signage, construction zones and lane closures, ensuring the data stays fresh.

Read more: Lyft Taps Solana’s Hivemapper for Real-Time, Crowdsourced Mapping Upgrade