Volvo Cars & Polestar to Become First Car Makers to Integrate Google’s new HD map

Volvo Cars and its affiliate Polestar will be the first car makers to bring Google's HD map technology into its cars, starting with the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3. Google’s HD map is designed specifically for car makers and provides highly detailed and up-to-date road information.

By combining data from Google’s HD map with information collected from Volvo Cars' exterior sensors, including a lidar and software developed by safety software company Zenseact, the company aim to create a more predictable, safe and comfortable drive.

Road information combined with the data from the Volvo EX90’s lidar and other sensors will be processed through the car’s core computer system powered by NVIDIA DRIVE AI Platforms Xavier and Orin.

In the future, Google’s HD map will also support the introduction of our autonomous driving technology in combination with Volvo Cars' sensor set consisting of a roof-integrated lidar, radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors, to further improve the car’s understanding of its environment.

Volvo Cars' COO and Deputy CEO, Javier Varela, says: “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. 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.”

“Building on our long history of mapping the world, Google’s new HD map is designed specifically for automakers and provides comprehensive lane-level and localisation data that is crucial to powering the next generation of assisted and autonomous driving systems,” adds Jorgen Behrens, VP and General Manager of Geo Automotive, Google. “We’re excited to continue partnering with leading automakers such as Volvo Cars to improve the safety and comfort of drivers everywhere.”

“Zenseact is proud to work alongside Volvo Cars and Google on the implementation of this game-changing technology for assisted and, later on, autonomous driving,” comments Ödgärd Andersson, Chief Executive Officer of Zenseact. “It will play an important role in our journey towards zero collisions.”

Volvo Cars' head office, product development, marketing and administration functions are mainly located in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Cars' production plants are located in Gothenburg, Ghent (Belgium), South Carolina (US), Chengdu, Daqing and Taizhou (China).