The exact location of any Mercedes-Benz equipped with DRIVE PILOT is determined using a high-precision positioning system that is much more powerful than conventional GPS systems. In addition to anonymous data collected by LiDAR, cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors, a digital HD map provides a three-dimensional image of the road and its surroundings, along with information on road geometry, route characteristics, traffic signs and special traffic events (such as accidents or road works). This is provided and updated via a back-end connection.
This high-definition map differs from maps used in navigation devices, with centimeter-level accuracy instead of meters, and detailed junction and route models. The map data is stored in a back-end data center and is constantly updated. Each vehicle also carries an image of this map information on board and constantly compares it with the back-end data, updating the local dataset as needed. This enables stable and accurate positioning through a view of the surroundings that is not affected by factors such as shadows or dirty sensors.
A powerful chipset in the central control unit provides the advanced software functions required for conditional automated driving, while critical algorithms are calculated redundantly within the framework of a modern security architecture.
