Global location data providers rally for a standard map for self-driving cars

Netherlands-based mapping and location data provider, Here Technologies and its regional mapping partners NavInfo of China, Increment P (IPC)/Pioneer of Japan and SK Telecom of Korea are coming together to enable a unified global digital representation of the road environment from 2020.

OneMap Alliance formed by the four companies would offer a global, standardized and dynamic high definition (HD) map that will make it easy for any OEM to deploy world-class mapping to help autonomous vehicles drive safely and efficiently. They claim that the OneMap Alliance will be a consistent HD map across regions at a time when vehicles with high levels of automation are being introduced in the market by several automakers. The OneMap Alliance is open to new, strategic partners who are shaping the future of automated driving, mobility and smart cities.

HD live map is a dynamic digital representation of the road environment that utilizes camera and other sensory observations of millions of cars to self-heal. This means that, as the world changes, the map corrects and calibrates itself to ensure it stays useful and trusted. It is designed to give vehicles an uninterrupted picture of the road environment – even when there’s a truck or building blocking their view – with awareness of upcoming lane configurations and their meaning. HD live map can also be complemented by additional Here data services that bring to the vehicle useful information about jams, potential road hazards and the best routes to take.

Ralf Herrtwich, SVP Services at Here Technologies said, “By sourcing from the OneMap Alliance partners, automakers get to leverage a map that is fully harmonized across regions, offering the same high quality for their vehicles in the U.S. as it does in Europe and Asia. This simplified way of sourcing the map will also help reduce automakers’ development time and unnecessary costs.”

Patrick Cheng, CEO of NavInfo  said, “With OneMap Alliance, market leaders are able to join forces to empower automakers with high quality, scalable, and now unified HD Live Map to accelerate the next steps of autonomous driving.”

Takumi Jinguji, President and CEO of IPC said, “With IPC’s map technology, HD map data developed by DMP will be provided to European and American automakers through HERE HD Live Map.”

Ian Huh, SVP IoT/data Division Head at SK Telecom said, “With HD Live Map leveraging our 5G technology, SK Telecom will be at the heart of a powerful unified service for automakers.”