Demonstration experiments run on a High-Precision 3D map “Dynamic map” for autonomous driving

Dynamic Map Platform Co., Ltd. (“DMP”) and Softbank Corp. (“Softbank”) conducted demonstration experiments on the High-Precision 3D map “Dynamic map,*1” which plays a central role in autonomous driving and safety support systems in mid-January 2019.

In these demonstration experiments, we traveled on public roads on a vehicle equipped with a laser camera system for High-Precision 3D map production, acquired 3D information about the traveled road, and sequentially processed and analyzed the measured data on a MEC*2 server in a secure Softbank closed area network. This made it possible to check, in near real-time in a traveling vehicle or at a remote location on a map, information that could not be accurately measured due to obstructions and the like. In this way, it is possible to efficiently survey terrain for High-Precision 3D maps because the system can quickly identify locations that could otherwise not be measured accurately. This demonstration experiment was conducted in a 4G environment, but by utilizing 5G in the future, we can expect to realize High-Precision 3D map information and improve real-time performance.

A key ingredient to realizing safe autonomous driving is a “dynamic map” that can recognize information such as traffic restrictions and road height restrictions in real time. In the future, DMP and Softbank will jointly study the possibility of generating maps in real time for autonomous driving, taking advantage of 5G’s capabilities.

• ※1 A digital map incorporating static information, quasi-static information, quasi-dynamic information, and dynamic information as important elements that play core roles in realizing autonomous driving and safety support systems.
• ※2 Multi-access Edge Computing: A technology that can optimize and accelerate communication by deploying data processing functions close to a terminal.

• SoftBank and the names and the logos of SoftBank are registered trademarks or trademarks of SoftBank Group Corp. in Japan and other countries.
• In addition, company names and product and service names described in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.