Hyundai ties up with AWS, Meta, Microsoft for open map

Hyundai Motor Group, the world’s third-largest automaker, teamed up with Big Tech companies such as Amazon Web Services Inc. (AWS), Meta Platforms Inc. and Microsoft Corp. for open map data to reduce reliance on Google and Apple Inc. maps and accelerate autonomous car development.

The South Korean conglomerate, which has two carmakers -- Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp.-- recently joined the Overture Maps Foundations, a collaborative effort to enable current and next-generation interoperable open map data, according to the foundation.

Overture established by AWS, Meta, Microsoft and Dutch location technology developer TomTom N.V. added other companies to increase the number of members to 28 including two automakers -- Hyundai Motor Group and Volkswagen AG.

“New members such as Hyundai Motor Group are interested in new geographic information sectors including map applications for GPS navigation systems and ride-sharing services, as well as navigation systems for autonomous cars,” said an Overture official on Monday.

The foundation aims to launch its first open map data with road networks, speed limits, real-time traffic information and others in August, which can be commercialized, according to industry sources. The data will be available in more than 40 languages and be used in various countries.

ESSENTIAL FOR AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

Hyundai Motor Group joined the foundation as global web mapping giants such as Google and Apple may charge or limit the use of their maps for the automaker’s vehicle, industry sources in Seoul said.

The maker of the IONIQ and EV electric vehicle series expected the utilization of Overture’s data, which reflects newly built roads, tunnels and bridges, to enhance the accuracy of GPS navigation systems for cars it exports.

The improvement is predicted to accelerate the group’s development of autonomous cars as precise maps allow vehicles to check their location and navigate road conditions and driving routes more accurately.

Hyundai AutoEver Corp., the group’s GPS navigation software unit, developed a high-definition map for hands-free Level 3 self-driving cars.

Write to Jin-Won Kim at jin1@hankyung.com
 

Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.