Autonomous driving: Google HD Maps deal signals road ahead

Google has mapped the world. But its HD mapping technology takes that one step further, and a deal with Volvo means cars will literally see around corners.

Volvo’s cars have always been synonymous with safety, with numerous driver assist features now included as standard. A strengthening of the carmaker’s relationship with Google, takes that one step further and – along with Volvo Cars taking full ownership of autonomous driving (AD) software development subsidiary, Zenseact – ultimately paves the way for autonomous driving.

The Google deal means the upcoming Volvo EX90 electric 7-seater SUV will take assisted driving a big step further by integrating Google’s HD map with Volvo’s lidar, cameras and radars with Google’s precise lane level and localisation data.

In the near-term, that means the car’s sensors and systems are designed to provide smarter assisted driving functions by better recognising the road environment in detail – both what’s immediately in front of you and around you, and at longer distances, beyond the twists and turns ahead.

In the longer-term, it paves the way for autonomous driving functionality, with Australian lawmakers aiming to deliver a regulatory framework that would allow autonomous driving by 2026.

Volvo Car COO and Deputy CEO, Javier Varela, thinks that represents a win-win.

“Implementing Google HD Maps in our upcoming cars will help us offer our drivers a more enjoyable driving experience and in future contribute to the introduction of safe autonomous driving.” he said.

While Google has mapped virtually the entire world, Google’s VP and General Manager of Geo Automotive, Jorgen Behrens, said the new HD map is specifically designed for carmakers – providing the data “that is crucial to powering the next generation of assisted and autonomous driving systems”.

Volvo Cars has broader ambitions within assisted and safe autonomous driving, which is why the company last month took full ownership of Zenseact, with the tech firm a key enabling plank both for Volvo – and ultimately other carmakers.

“Zenseact is proud to work alongside Volvo Cars and Google on the implementation of this game-changing technology for assisted, and later on, autonomous driving,” said Ödgärd Andersson, Chief executive officer of Zenseact. “It will play an important role in our journey towards zero collisions.”

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