SKT establishes global high-definition map alliance

Korea’s largest mobile carrier SK Telecom said Wednesday it has established a global alliance to make high-definition maps for self-driving cars with partners from Europe, China and Japan.

Four companies including SK Telecom, Europe-based Here Technologies, NavInfo of China and Pioneer of Japan formed the so-called OneMap Alliance to offer a standardized high definition map globally from 2020, according to the mobile carrier. According to Here, the unified worldwide map will guide self-driving cars safely and efficiently.

To develop a global standardized HD map, SK Telecom will offer key network infrastructure like the next generation 5G network and mobile navigation technology it built with the T Map app in Korea. Here has the technology to create HD maps. NavInfo and Pioneer will share their map data for China and Japan.

An HD map differs from the current standard-definition maps in that it offers more precise lane information and geographic features accurate to the centimeter level, according to the Korean mobile carrier.

The map developed by the alliance will also be dynamic, meaning it will be updated in real-time by utilizing cameras and other sensory observations of millions of cars on the road.

“By sourcing from the OneMap Alliance partners, automakers get to leverage a map that is fully harmonized across regions, offering the same high quality for vehicles in the U.S. as it does in Europe and Asia,” said Ralf Herrtwich, senior vice president of services at Here.

The companies said the alliance is open to new strategic partners from industries connected to automated driving and smart cities.

By Kim Jee-hee