HERE is among the world’s first companies to provide an HD map for commercial production vehicles with Level 3 automated driving capabilities
When activated, DRIVE PILOT controls the vehicle’s speed as
well as the distance to the vehicle ahead and guides a car safely within its
lane without any intervention from the driver. The highly precise, cloud-based
HERE HD Live Map plays a critical role in its technology by providing the
system with detailed data about the three-dimensional road network. In
combination with the input from the vehicle sensors the map data is used by the
DRIVE PILOT to maneuver a vehicle on the public road network.
The HERE HD Live Map consists of multiple layers providing
information for a car to know where exactly it is and what lies ahead. For
example, it can enable a vehicle to proactively adjust to changing road
conditions like adjusting its speed ahead of an upcoming lane closure. This is
possible through HERE’s advanced mapping technology that provides both the
accuracy as well as the freshness of its HD Live Map.
“In combination with extensive sensor data, DRIVE PILOT
receives information about the road geometry, route profile, traffic signs and
unusual traffic events (e.g. accidents or roadworks) from a digital HD map, –
which is one key element for automated driving. Its ultra precise positioning
system goes well beyond the usual GPS system. This enables us to give our
customers back one of the most precious things in life: time – combined with a luxurious
driving experience”, states Georges Massing, Vice President MBOS: Automated
Driving, Powernet & Integration E/E, Mercedes-Benz AG.
“We’re thrilled to be among the world’s first companies to
provide an HD map for series production vehicles capable of automated driving
at SAE Level 3,” said Edzard Overbeek, CEO of HERE Technologies. “Back at IAA
2013 we pioneered the concept of an HD map as a critical component for
automated driving together with Mercedes-Benz as part of the S 500 Intelligent
Drive research project on the historic Bertha Benz memorial route. Since then,
we continued to further develop, refine and scale our HD mapping technology.
Today, we’re excited to see that Mercedes-Benz drivers will soon be able to
officially take their hands off the steering wheel in certain conditions while
our HD Live Map helps DRIVE PILOT to drive them comfortably and safely.”
Mercedes-Benz plans to make DRIVE PILOT first available in
its new S-Class in the fourth quarter of this year. Initially, it will be able
to drive in conditionally automated mode at legally permitted speeds of up to
60 km/h in heavy traffic or congested situations on suitable sections of
motorways in Germany. Over time, the system will be integrated into additional
Mercedes-Benz models and expanded to cover suitable sections of motorways in
further regions.