With this streaming service, drivers can be sure that all possible incidents on the road ahead are taken into consideration and, when necessary, calculated routes can be adjusted accordingly. TomTom AutoStream comes as a full solution, including an on-board software component with smart logic that significantly simplifies and shortens development time for companies building autonomous driving systems. Its flexible design allows customizing the map data stream based on criteria such as sensor configuration and horizon length.
Fig. 2: Electronic horizon with EB robinos Predictor
and TomTom AutoStream
How the electronic horizon provides current information to all ADAS ECUs
To deliver an electronic horizon to ADAS electronic control units (ECUs), both an electronic horizon provider and an electronic horizon reconstructor are needed.
The former predicts the upcoming driving path by considering the current vehicle position, driving conditions, and road data. Based on the calculated path, the electronic horizon provider will create a so-called electronic horizon tree out of the HD map data and fuse the dynamic data into it. Based on the predicted paths, multiple trees are generated, so that an up-to-date electronic horizon can be quickly provided should the vehicle leave its current path. This data is then distributed over the vehicle’s network to all attached ADAS ECUs where they are received by an electronic horizon reconstructor. This element converts the data stream back to a data structure that can be processed by the ECU to execute its tasks.
The standard data format for the electronic horizon tree is called ADASIS. To enable and enhance automated driving functions, vehicle manufacturers want to access and use the information provided by navigation systems, such as map data, vehicle position and speed. Today, however, navigation map databases are only accessible to navigation applications and stored in the proprietary format of the navigation system. The overall aim of the ADASIS forum is to define an appropriate information exchange interface to access this data. It was defined and is constantly refined by the ADASIS consortium, in which both TomTom and Elektrobit are members. Elektrobit leverages TomTom’s HD map data to develop the first reference implementation of the ADASISv3 standard, which fulfills the requirements for automated and autonomous driving.
A comprehensive approach for predictive driving
An electronic horizon realized with EB robinos Predictor and based on TomTom’s AutoStream and HD maps enables an autonomous vehicle to plan a predictive driving strategy. By matching the map data from the cloud to the environment data provided by on-board sensors, the system can improve its localization and its perception of the surroundings. This comprehensive information is critical to localization, perception and path planning, which ensures that the respective automated driving function can work sufficiently
Overall, an integrated solution combining HD maps and horizon software paves the way for vehicles to see beyond their sensors and enables a safe, comfortable and fuel-efficient automated driving experience.
About the authors:
Tomaso Grossi is Product Marketing Manager, Autonomous Driving at TomTom.
Christian Hering is Product Manager EB robinos at Elektrobit Automotive.