High-resolution maps from space are expected to revolutionize autonomous driving

NTT Data sponsors the IndyCar series

Toyota Research Institute-Advanced Development (TRI-AD), global space technology pioneer Maxar Technologies (Maxar) and leading IT service provider and IndyCar sponsor NTT DATA Corporation will work in the creation of space technology in the future.Automated HD maps for autonomous vehicles. The maps are designed to build on high-resolution satellite imagery. This is an important step in advancing the Automated Mapping Platform (AMP), TRI-Ads concept of a public software platform, and the scalability of autonomous driving.

Autonomous vehicles use a variety of real-time sensors to ensure a safe ride. For proper functioning, these sensors must be matched with an HD card. According to TRI AD analysis, HD maps cover less than one percent of the global road network.

Therefore, before autonomous vehicles can become a common mobility technology, it is necessary to extend the map coverage of urban areas and country roads. An HD map created from satellite images allows the driving software to compare multiple data sources and to give signals to the vehicle to ensure safe travel.

TRI-AD, Maxar and NTT DATA are working together on a feasibility study to process satellite imagery into vehicle-friendly HD maps. Based on Maxar's cloud-based Geospatial Big Data Platform (GBDX), images from Maxar's optical satellite imaging library are fed into NTT DATA's algorithms. It uses AI to extract information needed to create a detailed road network. On this basis, TRI-AD will provide HD cards delivered from TRI-AD's cloud in Toyota test vehicles.

The group initially focuses on creating an automated HD map for a predefined area of the Tokyo metropolitan area. This opens up the possibility of supporting automated driving on all roads in the future.

Mandali Khalesi, Vice President of Automated Driving at TRI-AD, said: "Recent advances in electronics and aerospace technology allow for higher resolutions and more frequent updates to images from satellite facilities. In addition, ML helps to create the connection between road elements and image data in an automated and integrated way. We look forward to working with Maxar and NTT DATA to revolutionize autonomous driving for all. "

"High-resolution maps are an essential element in the navigation and safety of autonomous vehicles. Maxar is proud to provide the data and analytics platform that enables HD cards, "said Paul Granito, Maxar's vice president for global sales. "This new, innovative project shows us that there is a growing demand for our high-resolution images and geospatial data."

"NTT DATA has been in the satellite imaging business for 20 years. We provide our 3D maps of the AW3D brand globally, "explains Katsuichi Sonoda, Vice President and Head of Social Infrastructure Solution Sector at NTT DATA. "In this new project, we will use NTT DATA's expertise in AI and image processing. In this way, we expand the coverage of high-resolution cards quickly, scalably and cost-effectively.In the future, therefore, we want to map the world's road networks from space. "