Why 3D maps are the future of autonomous driving
Dieter Zetsche
Former Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG / Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars
There is no doubt: Driverless cars will be the greatest mobility revolution since Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler invented the “horseless carriage” more than 130 years ago.
And the next big thing down the road to fully self-driving cars is this - literally ground-breaking - feature: map data as an additional source of information to look beyond sensors and cameras and ultimately see around corners. Cars that are driving on their own better know exactly where they are going and how to arrive there safely.
Maps as multidimensional source of information
Maps have huge potential to enhance safety and convenience on the road today. And they are one important “missing link” to self-driving vehicles tomorrow. For fully self-driving cars, maps technically need to be ultra-accurate and ultra-up-to-date. Imagine what happened if we had more than just a few sources for mapping the world? If every single car collected data on every mile it drove and continuously shared roadside information with others?
Considering that the mapping company HERE for instance has many different partners, including BMW, Audi and Daimler, this means: more than seven million new “scouts” out on the road globally every year.
They could all be collecting and sharing a massive amount of almost real-time data on roadwork, weather conditions, traffic, and more through one powerful mapping platform. At the same time, every vehicle would benefit from super-accurate, reliable and continuously updating high-definition map data.
Maps as personal assistants
On top, there is a second strong dimension to maps that gets me excited: In the future the map in your car may be supporting you like a really cool co-driver. One who really knows about your likes, habits and preferences – no matter if you drive or if the car does the driving. This way, your car will get to know more about you, but not to overwhelm you with information. Instead it will reduce distraction and get you the personalized, right and most relevant information in the right very moment – at a level of convenience that goes far beyond navigating from A to B.
Now, combining individualized map data with fully self-driving cars in the future leaves us with tremendous opportunities. If your car, for instance, knows your favorite bakery, it will get those fresh pastries you love for breakfast – even before you wake up! If your car knows your calendar, you’ll never have to think about taking Grandma to the dentist or picking up your laundry – your car is just going to do that for you. And there are infinitely more possible tasks cars will be able to take care of.
Maps as the beginning of a revolution
The bottom line is this: Maps have long been an enabler for personal mobility. Now, they’re becoming a key driver for the next mobility revolution. A revolution with a huge impact on all of us: Cars that park themselves outside the city will reduce the space needed downtown. As a result, cities will become cleaner, greener and more livable. Self-driving trucks and vans can do all delivery and logistics at night to reduce traffic and pollution. That’s why Daimler is also going to electrify trucks, vans and buses.
I am certain: We are on the road to a bright new future in mobility and maybe even a better world. It’s going to be an exciting ride.
Read more:
ITALIA ROMA presso Invest in Russia
6yClasss👍
Options / Futures Trading
6yHowever....just skip the self driving car.......and jump into the air, cross oceans, just make sure that flying car can float in the ocean as a protected life vessel, to be picked up by the nearest cargo ship in the vicinity. Do what the people want...not the revenue stream milking.
Options / Futures Trading
6yWould not hurt to punch 2" x 2" Radio Emitters into the roads we are going to use for driverless cars to communicate a point of reference for those cars to use. Also, Body Heat Sensor coupled with motion sensor to identify living moving things that should not be in the road or near and around the road? I am sure avoidance procedures are programmed in. I am sure predetermined math computations are in a computers car for the particular vehicle's Mass, Speed, and braking force needed.
Strategie & Innovation
6yActually the "scounting cars" which take the photos for 3D maps, could be the cars that are driving autonomous and which are connected, these connected e-cars could send the information to the platform which could send this information to other connected cars. The platform could have different level of permission for sending the information to other cars, also from other cars producers. In this case, I think all the car companies should co-operate in order to send the information from their own cars to the platform. In the future the option should be by the customers and by their preferations, if he will buy a Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche, etc, which will offer the same technical solutions but other accesoires, which makes each car different. I think in order to be successfully with autonoumous driving, all the cars companies, almost in Europe, should co-operate. Co-operation should be the word of future in the world of car industry.
Project Manager
6yWhat an overblown marketing spiel.