—Accelerating the development of next-generation dynamic maps for the practical implementation of autonomous driving in public areas—
Dynamic Map Platform Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO & President: Shuichi Yoshimura; “Dynamic Map Platform”) has been entrusted with the FY 2025 R&D project of the Dynamic Map Development for Public Areas initiative of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. It is one of the initiatives of BRIDGE, which refers to the programs for bridging the gap between R&D and Society 5.0 run by the Cabinet Office.
This project aims to establish High-Precision 3D Maps (HD maps) compatible with public areas, such as airports and ports, and dynamic maps that adapt to real-time changing conditions. These maps act as the core infrastructure for accelerating the practical implementation of the autonomous driving of cars. The goal of this project is to achieve a seamless connection to public roads and global expansion. Furthermore, Dynamic Map Platform has been entrusted* with this project since FY 2023 and will continue its implementation based on the results achieved so far.
■ Background and details of this project
In public areas responsible for major logistics, such as airports and ports, labor shortages have become a pressing issue. Therefore, achieving efficient business operations through the implementation of cutting-edge technology, such as autonomous driving cars, has become an urgent priority. Against this backdrop, in this project, the specifications for HD maps for public areas and the structure of dynamic maps were formulated, and field testing of autonomous driving cars equipped with HD maps was carried out until FY 2024. In FY 2025, the objective is to tackle the three technical issues listed on the next page based on these results and move to the final stage toward practical implementation and domestic as well as international expansion by FY 2026.
*[Reference press releases] January 5, 2024「Entrusted with an R&D Project for the Cabinet Office’s Problem-solving Program “Bridge” –Contributing to Solutions to Social Issues Through the Development of Dynamic Maps for Public Areas–」
Three initiatives to tackle issues with public areas
① Integrating site conditions (dynamic information) and HD map information (static information) through AI technology
In public areas, some situations, such as unexpected construction work or obstacles, can disrupt autonomous driving. To tackle this, dynamic information obtained through image analysis technology using AI is combined with the static position information of HD maps, allowing for a response close to human judgment. This achieves safe and smooth autonomous driving, even in situations where visibility is poor or it is difficult to determine whether passage is possible. It also enhances safety and supports work efficiency for both autonomous driving vehicles and on-site employees.
② Establishing a process that enables maintaining the latest map information using only data from permissible equipment
In on-site environments where information changes frequently, maintaining and providing the latest map information is key. Normally, obtaining map information requires large measuring equipment, such as special measurement vehicles. However, in restricted access areas, this type of equipment is especially difficult to bring in. Therefore, the goal is to establish a process that enables updating information using only data from permissible equipment, such as the sensor (LiDAR) installed in autonomous driving vehicles and images from the camera of a smartphone or similar device. This aims to establish an operational structure that keeps public area maps up to date in a short time and at a low cost.
③ Field testing at airports and ports using autonomous driving vehicles
To test the practicality and reliability of HD maps and dynamic maps developed so far in real-world conditions, field testing involving the actual operation of autonomous driving vehicles at airports and ports is planned.
At airports, tests will be performed to assess real-time route search support and judgment support for safe intersection crossing based on dynamic information such as construction information. At ports, the tests will evaluate the effectiveness of HD maps by driving on routes intended for transportation operations, focusing on restricted areas and warehouse surroundings along the logistics routes.
■ The social significance and outlook for this project
- Applying the outcome to public roads
This project focuses on public areas, such as airports and ports. However, it also aims to apply the knowledge and technical results gained in the process to autonomous driving on public roads.
- Developing and implementing dynamic maps as a base for supporting autonomous driving mobility operations
Dynamic maps are a next-generation map infrastructure that links HD maps that contain static information with quasi-dynamic and dynamic information. By linking this to practical implementation through this project, Dynamic Map Platform aims to utilize this as the base that supports the safe and flexible operation of autonomous driving mobility.
- International standardization and overseas expansion of HD maps for autonomous driving vehicles in airports
Labor shortages in airports and ports is a global common challenge that is not limited to Japan. Therefore, Dynamic Map Platform is working to develop international standardization of HD maps for autonomous driving vehicles in airports based on the R&D results of this project. In the future, Dynamic Map Platform aims to promote sales in overseas markets in parallel and lead global smart mobility transformation with Japanese map technology.
[Supplementary materials]
Initiatives and results until FY 2024
In this project, the specifications for HD maps for public areas were formulated, map attribute information was enhanced, specifications for linking dynamic data, which serve as the base for dynamic maps (quasi-static/quasi-dynamic/dynamic information), and static information (from HD maps) were developed, and methods for efficient map updating technology were established by FY 2024. As the first step toward the practical implementation of these technologies, field testing was carried out using autonomous driving vehicles equipped with HD maps for public areas at Chubu Centrair International Airport in March 2025.
[Reference press releases] February 27, 2025「Starting field testing of autonomous driving vehicles equipped with High-Precision 3D Map Data (HD maps) in the restricted area of Chubu Centrair International Airport」