Toyota’s new system to map ‘self drive’ routes

At CES next month in Las Vegas, Toyota is planning to show off a brand new map-generating technology which data is crowdsourced. Using new and existing cars to contribute information will result in a mapping network that is constantly updated to portray real-time road conditions rather than having to occasionally deal with out-dated data as is the case with current mapping systems like Google Maps.

The information will then be sent to data centres that automatically update and generate high-precision road maps that cover a wide area. With zero human intervention, Toyota explains that, “an understanding of road layouts and traffic rules (including speed limits and various road signs) is essential for the successful implementation of automated driving technologies”. The data collection is infrequent, so the maps are not updated regularly and their usefulness is limited. Toyota also believes its system can be used for hazard avoidance – for example, pointing out potholes and using its cloud-based image tech to warn other vehicles on the same route. Of course, it’s thought of that problem and will prevent errors by using “image matching technologies” that cross-reference images from multiple vehicles along with “high precision trajectory estimation technologies”. This restricts the margin of error on straight roads to a maximum of 5cm. Furthermore, it is said that the system can be implemented and scaled up at a relatively low cost.

The company’s system will be included in automated driving vehicles that will be available for purchase by the year 2020.

The automaker is also planning to collaborate with mapmakers to encouraging the use of high precision map data in services offered by both the public and private sectors. This way they can warn other drivers of potholes and to avoid them.

Toyota is stepping up its game when it comes to developing technologies to aid automated driving.

Toyota’s high-precision mapping will use production cars to create a realtime digital map of roadways. As of the end of December 2013, Toyota conducts its business worldwide with 52 overseas manufacturing companies in 27 countries and regions. For more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com.