HD Maps vs HD Mapless Technology
Which approach is most advantageous to OEMs and Tier-1 automotive suppliers in autonomous driving?
Home > HD Maps vs HD Mapless Technology
The role of HD (High-Definition) maps has been central to most autonomous driving technologies for years. Many companies have invested significant resources in creating and maintaining these HD maps, believing they are a crucial component of the self-driving puzzle. At Imagry, however, we challenge that notion.
We have created the following comparison chart to demonstrate why going HD-Mapless makes sense for all aspects of the autonomous driving solution.
Aspect |
HD-Maps |
HD-Mapless |
---|
Understanding the Road Infrastructure |
Static representation; lacks real-time information (e.g., road construction, updated lane markings, etc.) |
Real-time representation; constant scanning provides up-to-date information on dynamic road conditions. |
Data Storage |
Large storage requirements; impractical for most vehicles. |
No data storage required, as no external information is necessary. |
Communication |
Network coverage issues due to tunnels, network congestion, absence of cell towers, etc. Exposure to cyber vulnerability. |
No cloud-based connection is needed as the vehicle is self-sufficient.; it generates all data necessary for real-time motion planning |
Localization and Perception |
Location inaccuracies: leads to uncertainty in motion decision-making. Back-up perception system required to detect discrepancies |
Eliminate reliance on GPS and compass for localization. Real-time image recognition for safe and accurate motion planning |
Cost and Resource Efficiency |
Expensive solution; high initial investment and ongoing update costs |
Economical solution; camera-based approach is inexpensive and scalable. Cameras are typically pre-installed on the vehicle. |
Relevance for Different Environments |
Primarily designed for highway, urban, and suburban environments. |
Adaptable to various terrains and conditions; suitable for both on-road and unstructured off-road applications. |
Watch how Imagry AI based autonomous driving software uses HD-mapless technology to navigate complex autonomous driving scenarios in this video: