TomTom launch RoadDNA
TomTom today announced the launch of TomTom RoadDNA, an innovative new product for vehicle localisation that will help make automated driving a reality, faster.
Designed with vehicle data storage and processing limitations in mind, RoadDNA delivers highly accurate location information that can easily be integrated into the on-board system of a vehicle.
‘We know that the future of automated driving hinges on the ability of a vehicle to continuously know exactly where it is located on the road,’ said Harold Goddijn, TomTom CEO. ‘TomTom RoadDNA is the only technology of its kind that delivers highly accurate vehicle localisation content in an efficient and cost effective way.’
TomTom RoadDNA’s propriety technology delivers a highly optimised lateral and longitudinal view of the roadway. By matching RoadDNA data with vehicle sensor data in real-time a vehicle knows its location on the road, even while traveling at high speeds or when changes occur to the roadside.
By converting a 3D point cloud of road side patterns into a compressed, 2D view of the roadway, RoadDNA delivers a solution that needs little storage space and limits processing requirements, without losing detail. TomTom RoadDNA eliminates the complexity of identifying each single roadway object, but instead creates a unique pattern of the roadway environment. This makes the technology robust and scalable.
TomTom RoadDNA, combined with the TomTom HAD Map, delivers accurate and robust technology by providing real-time information about a vehicle’s precise location on a map whilst coping with changes in the environment.
The company also announced the first commercial launch of an HAD Map for a complete country. TomTom’s HAD Map of Germany, covering the complete Autobahn network, provides a 3D lane map for 24,000 kilometres of roads. By delivering this highly accurate border-to-border model of the road, TomTom’s HAD Map enables a self-driving vehicle to see beyond its sensors.
‘We believe that our ability to deliver a HAD Map for Germany demonstrates both the power of our mapmaking engine and our continued commitment to meeting the needs of the automotive market,’ said Antoine Saucier, managing director, TomTom Automotive.
‘As leaders in technology innovation, TomTom is excited about the role that we are playing in making highly automated driving a reality.’
The TomTom HAD Map for the highway network in Germany provides a highly accurate and realistic representation of the roadway, including the following map features/attributes:
- 3D geometries of lane centerlines, lane dividers, road borders, and guard rails
- Lane-dependent speed limits and lane divider marking types
Together these advanced map features extend the range of view for the vehicle while supporting smoother, safer, and more efficient driving scenarios. In addition to enabling future self-driving cars to see beyond their sensors, the TomTom HAD map can also be used for advanced driving applications like improved versions of eco-adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane level guidance, and predictive powertrain control.
