Toyota Research Institute, DMP to begin work on high-accuracy HD map for automated driving

Toyota Research Institute - Advanced Development (TRI-AD) and Dynamic Map Platform have partnered to build a proof of concept (PoC) applying the technologies of both companies starting April 2020. The PoC aims to demonstrate the efficient update of DMP's high definition (HD) maps by using TRI-AD's open software platform, Automated Mapping Platform (AMP) to detect and process changes in lane-level road features based on images and other data collected from vehicle sensors.

The partners believe that the demand for high-accuracy and high-quality HD maps for automated driving has been growing with the increased use of automated driving and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). It becomes essential for map building to capture changes in roadway attributes accurately and quickly, and update the maps with high efficiency. The conventional approach detects lane-level changes through on-site surveys using expensive survey vehicles and typically based on planned road construction notices.

The partners say for this PoC, TRI-AD's image recognition technology automatically detects changes based on image data collected by commonly available cameras. By helping focus the survey fleet only on areas of change as they occur, it is expected to demonstrate a significant reduction in the cost of operating the fleet and an acceleration of the map update to users including automotive manufacturers.

TRI-AD and DMP will demonstrate the ability to update DMP's HD maps with an improved efficiency using the automatic change detection technology by TRI-AD's AMP based on images and other data of roadways in Japan. The partnership aims to begin operation from fiscal year 2021, this PoC will study methods to further improve the frequency of HD map updates, and consider the use of AMP to update map data by Ushr, (a DMP Group company) that supplies its HD maps in North America.

Commenting on the partnership, Mandali Khalesi, vice-president - Automated Driving, TRI-AD said: "I am delighted to collaborate with DMP, an industry leader in the development and management of high-quality HD maps through automotive manufacturers collaboration, on a map update system using AMP technology. This collaboration enables us to provide up-to-date map data for automotive manufacturers and other users, and accelerate technology development for AMP. Through this PoC, TRI-AD hopes to be able to offer safe and secure automated driving technology to users across the world."

Hiroyuki Inahata, president, DMP said: "DMP Group is the leading supplier of HD maps for passenger vehicles in Japan and North America because of its exceptional data accuracy. Now, we seek to maximise the usability of mapped roads by capturing small changes in road elements. With TRI-AD's AMP change detection technology, DMP Group can improve the coverage and cycle times of map updates. I also believe that this effort will help improve the map update service for all of our clients. We are excited to work together with TRI-AD to extend AMP to other automaker ecosystems. The result will be lower data acquisition costs and better HD map quality for everyone."