Digital mapping specialist Atlatec and Spanish engineering firm Applus+ IDIADA have signed a collaboration agreement for the creation of high-definition 3D maps to be used in the testing and development of autonomous vehicles on public roads.
To cover the imminent need for HD maps in test drives on public roads, Atlatec and Applus+ IDIADA agreed to team up for the next two years.
“The HD map creation capabilities of Atlatec complement our engineering and testing services for the development of highly automated vehicles for our international clients,” said Joan Carbó, director, chassis and active safety, IDIADA.
The alliance is expected to be of mutual benefit in strengthening the services provided by both companies and expanding their activities in the field of connected and automated vehicles. As a first step in their collaboration, both companies agreed to collect raw sensor data of various routes in the Catalonia region of Spain and to create a sample HD map for one of those routes.
A strategic analysis performed by Applus+ IDIADA resulted in a series of objectives for testing of automated vehicles on public roads, including fitting test vehicles and public roads with dedicated test equipment; establishing a centralized control room; selecting professional test drivers; and supplying HD maps of any public road worldwide.
