The future of maps is HERE?

Audi, BMW and Daimler invest in mapping services to help improve autonomous vehicles

By Nik Attard / Friday, 11 December 2015 / Loading comments

Mapping has become a crucial aspect of new cars and motoring generally in 2015. Most if not all new cars are fitted with satellite navigation systems and with autonomous technology soon taking to the road, real-time mapping services will become essential.

Real time info crucial for autonomous motoring

Now three of Germany's biggest manufacturers - Audi, BMW and Daimler - have purchased Nokia's mapping service, 'HERE'.

The companies are confident that 'HERE' will remain an independent entity providing high-definition mapping services with a 'detailed representation of the real world in real time'. So you can see all the traffic in even better detail, presumably.

Over 80,000 sources with billions of probe points help power HERE maps and now with the backing from the German triumvirate, HERE will be able to gain even more data; it has predicted the collaboration will see over two million connected vehicles on the road.

Driverless technology is not far off with experiments like the Audi RS7 at Hockenheim and the Tesla Model S with its autonomous tech; expect to see more car manufacturers investing in the future. The more data collected and added to the HERE platform, the better the maps, products and services should, in theory, become. This will effectively give vehicles eyes, allowing the car to anticipate upcoming road hazards and adjust the driving style accordingly. Perfect for stop-start traffic, for example. The video will tell you more, and expect a lot more navigation technology updates very soon.

Watch the video

here.