A map update method, performed by a terminal side device, the method comprising: receiving sensing information from a sensor, wherein the sensing information indicates data collected by the sensor; and receiving second information from a cloud device; and sending first information to the cloud device based on the sensing information and the second information, wherein the first information comprises first indication information, and the first indication information indicates change information of a map element at a first location on a target map, wherein the second information comprises second indication information, wherein the second indication information includes second location information, and the second location information indicates the second location, and wherein the second indication information indicates change information of a map element at a second location on the target map, wherein a distance between the second location and the first location is less than or equal to a distance threshold, wherein the second information further comprises second confidence radius information, the second confidence radius information indicates a second confidence radius, wherein the second confidence radius is the maximum distance of the horizontal and vertical distances between the second location and two closest reference locations on the target map, wherein the horizontal and the vertical coordinates of the two reference locations are located on two sides of the second location, and the reference location is a location of a preset map element on the target map, and wherein the sending the first information to the cloud device based on the sensing information and the second information comprises: sending the first information to the cloud device when the first location is located in a circular area with the second location as the center and the second confidence radius as the radius. receiving sensing information from a sensor, wherein the sensing information indicates data collected by the sensor; and receiving second information from a cloud device; and sending first information to the cloud device based on the sensing information and the second information, wherein the first information comprises first indication information, and the first indication information indicates change information of a map element at a first location on a target map, wherein the second information comprises second indication information, wherein the second indication information includes second location information, and the second location information indicates the second location, and wherein the second indication information indicates change information of a map element at a second location on the target map, wherein a distance between the second location and the first location is less than or equal to a distance threshold, wherein the second information further comprises second confidence radius information, the second confidence radius information indicates a second confidence radius, wherein the second confidence radius is the maximum distance of the horizontal and vertical distances between the second location and two closest reference locations on the target map, wherein the horizontal and the vertical coordinates of the two reference locations are located on two sides of the second location, and the reference location is a location of a preset map element on the target map, and wherein the sending the first information to the cloud device based on the sensing information and the second information comprises: sending the first information to the cloud device when the first location is located in a circular area with the second location as the center and the second confidence radius as the radius.