Japan banks on 3D map technology deemed crucial for driverless cars
Expecting a big improvement over satellite-based GPS, new system promises to be off by centimetres
TOKYO — Technology companies are racing to develop ultra-precise digital maps that can guide self-driving cars within inches of where they should be — a hurdle the industry needs to clear if it hopes to deliver on its promise of widespread use of driverless vehicles.
Japan’s government is backing a threedimensional mapping system developed by Mitsubishi Electric Corp. that includes a wealth of details such as trees and pedestrians. It promises to be off by no more than 25 centimetres (9.8 inches).
That would be a big improvement over satellite-based GPS, which is used by ships, aircraft and increasingly by drivers or on mobile phones but can be off by up to 20 metres (65 feet), especially inside buildings or underground.
The developers say the improved mapping technology likely will be used first in vehicles in isolated areas such as warehouses, or it might be used to help drivers of vehicles that aren’t entirely autonomous.
Its challenges and dangers were highlighted in March when a self-driving Uber SUV being tested on a street in suburban Phoenix struck and killed pedestrian in the industry’s first fatality.
Autonomous, or even semi-autonomous, driving will require sensors, radars, cameras and computer software to handle acceleration, braking, steering normally done by human drivers.
That requires precise and accurate information about not just road lanes but repairs, traffic lights, crosswalks and buildings. That is relayed to moving vehicles, which requires additional telecommunications connections.
On a computer screen, such maps are masses of tiny points swimming around in virtual 3D, defining a landscape of trees, roads, signs, buildings, cars and pedestrians.
Data are collected by special vehicles carrying sensors and cameras. Those have drivers for now, but at some point autonomous vehicles are expected to take over.
In November, Japan will also get positioning information from its government satellites, including three launched last year.
Japan wants driverless cars on the roads by 2020, with hopes the Tokyo Olympics will showcase its technological prowess the way the 1964 Tokyo Summer Games displayed its new bullet train to the world.
But mapping services are popping up everywhere. Even Japanese automakers are also wooing mapping services other than the national brand.
Among the global players:
TomTom, based in Amsterdam. It is working with Japanese map maker Zenrin Co.
DeepMap, in Palo Alto, California, cofounded by James Wu, who worked for Google Maps and Apple Maps. Wu is promising 5-centimetre (2-inch) precision. Among Japanese automakers, it is working with Honda .
HERE, co-owned by German automakers and Intel Corp. It signed a partnership late last year with Japanese electronics and car-navigation maker Pioneer Corp. with hopes of growing in Japan.
Three months ago, Toyota Motor Corp. hired Mandali Khalesi from HERE to lead its automated-driving initiative.
Digital 3D maps focus on highways, where landmarks are easier to discern and define. Khalesi thinks Toyota can gain an edge by developing technology for city streets and off-road rural areas. He hopes to use satellite imagery.
“To be honest, there is a lot of catching up for us to do.”Khalesi said on Toyota’s digital mapping.
He said Toyota should partner with existing mapping services, and not try to “reinvent the wheel,” but innovate where the technology was lacking.
Japan’s government-backed initiative is led by the electronics unit of the sprawling Mitsubishi group of companies, which also includes satellites, robotics and an automaker.
Japanese automakers including Honda, Toyota and Nissan are also investors in Dynamic Map Platform Co., the outfit created to make commercial applications out of the technology.
“Everybody’s got a different angle on it, a different idea,” said Christopher Richter, auto analyst for CLSA Securities Japan Co.
“These are things we’ve never needed before and so everybody’s got a fresh idea, and everybody is looking for that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.” said Richter.