DaimlerChrysler:  Next-Generation Digital Maps and Driver Assistance Systems Offer A Powerful Combination
IVsource.net
5 February 2003

Global sales of in-vehicle navigation systems are expected to reach 10 million this year, so that digital maps are steadily becoming a part of the vehicle electronic infrastructure.  In an article published by Mercedes Magazine and recently reprinted in the New Straits Times, Dr. Ralf Herrtwich, head of the Telematic Research Laboratory at DaimlerChrysler Research, describes his vision for the fusion of digital maps with active safety systems. 

Reprinted with permission.

Anybody owning a navigation system is particularly pleased to hear the announcement: "You have reached your destination."

However, this is by no means the end of the road where DaimlerChrysler researcher Dr. Ralf Guido Herrtwich is concerned.

"There is much more we can do," says the engineer, whose aim is to use the navigation system for more than just getting from A to B.  In his view, the digital map could also serve the interests of road safety.

Researchers from DaimlerChrysler in Germany and the USA are already working with institutes and transport ministries, map publishers and other automobile manufacturers on the further development of databases for digital road maps.

[Herrtwich,] head of the [DaimlerChrysler] Telematics Research Laboratory, emphasizes: "Today's digital maps are mere read-only memories on CD Rom or DVD.  It would be most beneficial if we could also use these maps to store individual items of position-related information; this would enable settings for frequently used routes, for example cruise control speeds, to be conveniently retrieved from the memory."

In a further application, the map serves as a filter.  If the map "knows" particular hot-spots such as critical road junctions or motorway slip roads which require a driver's full concentration, it can make sure that he or she is not distracted.  In such situations the system will suppress incoming telephone calls, for example.  The caller either hears the ringing tone a few seconds later than usual or is asked to wait a moment.

With filter functions such as this, the system acts like a considerate passenger who takes care not to distract the driver in critical situations.

Herrtwich is considering how present-day maps can be transformed into a source of additional information.

"The system uses the map data to analyse the bends on major roads and is able to warn the driver when approaching a particularly hazardous corner.

"For example, every driver is sure to have experienced the situation where he or she misjudges a bend on an unfamiliar road - the radius becomes progressively smaller, and the bend tightens up."

The versatile uses to which map information can be put are also illustrated by interaction with other sources of data.  The trend in driver assistance systems is now towards registration of the vehicle's surroundings.  This is a complex task, for which cameras, ultrasound and radar are used.

Combining the data supplied by sensors with the information on the digital road map makes new applications such as a map-based DISTRONIC system conceivable, for example.  The proximity cruise control system uses a concentrated radar beam to measure the distance from a preceding vehicle and maintain a constant gap.

If the car in front leaves the area swept by the radar beam on a bend, the system slightly accelerates the vehicle equipped with DISTRONIC until the preceding vehicle is once again detected by the beam.  In combination with a digital map which informs DISTRONIC of the nature of the bends on a route, it would be possible to make even smoother progress in these situations.

The basis for many future applications is the availability of optimising digital maps.

"Together with our partners we are making intensive efforts to develop digital road maps that provide additional, more precise and more up-to- date information," Herrtwich explains.

Although current maps already offer a great deal of information about points of interest, local attractions, restaurants and even sports facilities, safety-related applications require a whole range of further information such as recommended speeds, speed limits and general traffic regulations.  In the interests of even more precise navigation it would also be useful to register not only the course taken by a road, but also that of the individual traffic lanes.

The more data are stored in memory, however, the more they can become outdated.  Where traffic is impeded by road repairs one day, the road can be completely clear again the next.  Continuous updating of the digital road map is thus acquiring increasing significance.

The researchers are proposing that the digital maps of the future be stored on a hard drive, which would enable the information to be constantly updated using the mobile telephone link. To accelerate the process it would be sufficient to download the data that are of importance for a new route calculation.

No gift of prophecy is required to predict that navigation systems and telematics will play a crucial role in future road traffic.  Whereas just over one million vehicle-based navigation systems were in operation worldwide in 1996, the ten-million mark will be reached this year; the annual rate of increase is currently more than thirty percent.

Mercedes Benz cars are strongly represented in this high-tech area.  Last year, every fifth Mercedes Benz came equipped ex-factory with a navigation system.  Even present day applications provide a very high level of convenience and safety, but as the above examples demonstrate, the researchers from DaimlerChrysler have already moved into the next-generation navigation world.

Herrtwich is already thinking about the generation after that.

He says: "DaimlerChrysler Research is fully committed to the vision of accident free driving. We will soon be seeing a further, important aspect of telematics that is intricately linked to navigation and the digital road map: communication between vehicles.

"If cars are one day able to exchange information relating to their location, the road conditions and the traffic situation, a driver can benefit directly from what others are experiencing - or if you like, automobiles will then draw their own road maps."

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