The next step currently being taken in mapping technology will be the use of maps that get live updates from other vehicles in the network. This type of maps will include more than info about traffic conditions, but also place the vehicle into a context that includes the weather, the car itself, roadsigns, road work and more.
This type of technology is a required tool for autonomous vehicles, but some versions of it is already making it into cars driven by humans on their everyday trips.
One of the most advanced such systems is that offered by HERE and is called HD Live Map. The HD Live Map was introduced in early 2016 as a highly detailed and dynamic representation of the road environment, one that would allow cars with automated systems to “see around the corner.”
This February, HERE announced its tech will be powering the driver assistance systems on upcoming generations of automated and autonomous Mercedes-Benz vehicles. A less complex version of the map is already deployed on current E- and S-Class models, as well as on the recently introduced A-Class.WHAT IS IT
HD Live Maps is a tool meant to provide context to data sensed by a vehicle’s on-board sensors. It will be able to store all the data coming from a car’s sensors so that it can be referred to when needed.
HD Live Maps uses the stored data to update and deliver the required information to a car in real time. Using the sensors fitted in the vehicle, HD Live Maps can tell it whether a lane divider is knocked down, for instance, or if a lane is closed for maintenance.
The most important component of the system is the cloud where all the data is stored and from where it can be read by the all the cars in the system. It allows an area to be mapped to the centimeter be and updated instantly when a new piece of information need to be transmitted to the car.
It allows all cars equipped with the system to talk among themselves and share information, notifying each other of any change in traffic, road signs and so on. HOW IT WORKS
First, just like any other positioning solution, HD Maps helps the car understand where it is in the world laterally and longitudinally. As per HERE’s statement, the lane level accuracy has centimeter-level precision, delivered in real time for the relevant road network along a given route. .
For automated cars, this mean better planning far beyond the reach of the sensors fitted on it. Usually, a car uses its sensors to scan an area of about 100 meters around it. For a car traveling at 80 km/h, that equates to only about three seconds of detection and reaction time.
That’s why HD Maps relies heavily on data shared by other vehicles. “If vehicle sensors detected a speed limit sign that is inconsistent with what is currently in the map, the map updates accordingly so that other vehicles approaching the same spot have the new, correct information,” says HERE.
Aside from the vehicle itself, the system takes its data from other cars, road network sensors, fleets and probes.
The information available from other cars will be used by onboard systems including Predictive Powertrain Control, Curve Lighting, Beam Height Control, Road Sign Recognition, Intelligent Speed Assistance, and Lane Departure Warning for both autonomous and normal cars.OUTLOOK
HERE says it is currently working with 10 automotive companies to test HD Live Maps for automated driving purposes. It is also working with Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW for the implementation of the system of regular driving cars.
