2023 Author: Bryan Walter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 22:24
Mitsubishi Electric, Zenrin and nine major Japanese carmakers will 3D map highways as part of a government program to prepare for the 2020 Olympics. To this end, the companies formed a joint venture called Dynamic Map Planning, according to Nikkei Asian Review.
Self-driving cars rely on GPS positioning and terrain maps in addition to a variety of sensors, cameras, radars and lidars to travel on public roads. At the same time, traditional two-dimensional surface maps do not provide accurate information about the location of objects on the road; for this purpose, 3D maps are better suited, which allow taking into account the real position of objects in space.
As part of the first phase of Dynamic Map Planning, involving Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Suzuki, Fuji Heavy Industries, Isuzu and Hino, 3D maps of 300 kilometers of the country's main highways will be created. For this purpose, specially equipped vehicles with equipment developed by Mitsubishi Electric will be used.
Building a 3D map from a point cloud
3D maps constructed in this way will contain information about the road, which is necessary for the full movement of unmanned vehicles, even in poor visibility conditions. For example, 3D maps will contain information about the roadbed, the location of markings, traffic lights, signs, vertical obstacles, pedestrian crossings and other objects.
After the first phase, Dynamic Map Planning will further digitize Japanese highways. The total length of Japan's expressways is 30,000 kilometers, and they are planned to be digitized by 2020 so that self-driving cars can move on public roads during the Tokyo Olympics.
In addition to the emergence of self-driving cars on the roads, the Japanese also intend to use an unusual source of raw materials for medals for the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020. The organizers of the event plan to use precious metals obtained from recycled electronic waste to make medals.
