Volvo EX90 first vehicle to support Google high-def mapping

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It’s a brave new world for automotive tech, running headlong into virtual this and augmented that. Volvo, a brand long synonymous with safety, is tying together a few driving aids with trick new mapping software from Google.

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Promoted as “Google HD Maps,” the tech is pitched as a comprehensive map designed specifically for carmakers, one which provides highly detailed and up-to-date road information. By integrating this software, Volvo intends to bring together data from the vehicle sensor set; and Google’s precise lane-level-plus-localisation data. In the new EX90, this will facilitate semi-autonomous driving features like lane-change assistance and Volvo’s Pilot Assist technology.

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“The addition of Google HD Maps in our future car line-up marks an expansion of our strategic collaboration with Google, reflecting our commitment to work with technology leaders,” says COO and Deputy CEO Javier Varela. “Implementing Google HD Maps in our upcoming cars will help us offer our drivers a more enjoyable driving experience and in future contribute to the introduction of safe autonomous driving.”

Note well: these Google HD Maps will only be available in cars which are equipped with Pilot Assist, at least for the time being. This makes a level of sense given the symbiotic relationship between these two tools. However, it’s worth pointing out that EX90 customers will need to select the right option mix to enjoy this technology.

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With assistance from real-world details such as lane markers and localization objects like road signs, Google HD Map can help support L2+ and L3 assisted driving technology. This pairing could eventually lead to more hands-free driving opportunities on select roadways. Notice we didn’t say “self-driving” at any point in that sentence. Combined with the data from the car’s lidar and other sensors, the gathered road information will be read and processed through the car’s core computer system, a task which sounds like something from the Starship Enterprise but really just refers to electronic gubbins inside the EX90.

Left unsaid in all this is if the information gathered is automatically uploaded to a cloud service to build out new maps using crowd-sourced data. Given the specific location requirements of this system, privacy lawyers could have a field day if the data got into nefarious hands. Still, the Volvo triumvirate of lidar, cameras, and radar are great tools to harness in order to supply anti-fatigue driving tools and help keep occupants safe on the highway.