By Jung Min-hee
SsangYong Motor announced on Dec. 12 that it signed a memorandum of understanding with SK Telecom and the global map service company Here to develop a high-definition (HD) map for self-driving vehicles.
The MOU was signed on Dec. 11 by Lee Tae-won, head of SsangYong Technology Research Institute, Park Jin-hyo, head of SK Telecom ICT Technology Institute, and Lee Moon-cheol, vice president of Here APAC.
The three companies have decided to work together to develop HD maps, which are one of the core technologies for self-driving cars.
SsangYong will be in charge of developing internal vehicle systems such as software that utilizes HD maps, while SK Telecom will be responsible for developing real-time communication technologies and module software.
Here will lead production of HD maps and development of software.
HD maps are necessary for Level 3 self-driving cars to perform stable driving and change lanes on their own. Current mass-production cars are classified as Level 2 vehicles.
HD maps are also essential for next-generation intelligent transportation systems that use real-time traffic information to help vehicles drive more safely.
Through this project, SsangYong plans to establish Korea’s first HD map platform and apply it to mass-production of self-driving cars.
Since 2014, SsangYong has been carrying out research and development related to Level 3 self-driving cars in cooperation with the Korea Automotive Technology Institute.
Last year, it participated in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s self-driving car test for development of future road systems.