An approach is provided for dynamic adaptation of an in-vehicle feature detector. The approach involves embedding a feature detection model, precomputed weights for the feature detection model, or a combination thereof in a data layer of map data representing a geographic area from which a training data set was collected to generate the feature detection model, the precomputed weights, or a combination thereof. The approach also involves deploying the feature detection model, the precomputed weights, or a combination thereof to adapt an in-vehicle feature detector based on determining that the in-vehicle feature detector is in the geographic area, plans to travel in the geographic area, or a combination thereof. The in-vehicle feature detector can then use the feature detection model, the precomputed weights, or a combination thereof to process sensor data collected while in the geographic area to detect one or more features.