Mitsubishi Electric plans to release a compact version of its mobile mapping system (MMS) on December 25.
MMS are highly precise measuring systems comprising car-mounted GPS antennas, laser scanners and cameras to gather 3D positioning data on road surfaces and roadside features, generally used as base data to create high-definition 3D maps for autonomous driving and infrastructure inspections. The compact, lightweight and transportable new MMS-G, which is especially suited to mounting on automobiles, railways, carts or ships, is expected to be used for diverse applications in markets including Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania, where high growth is forecast.
The product is compact and lightweight for easy transportation and diverse installations. Compact design integrates three Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antennas into one to reduce weight by about 50% compared to existing MMS-G220Z model. Roof-mount unit divides into two units for easier transportation/installation and reduced labour.
It also offers diverse, high-precision field surveys for 3D mapping and infrastructure inspections. Inertial measurement unit (IMU; for detecting position, velocity, attitude and heading) and speed sensor can be used where satellite signals cannot be received, such as tunnels. Its high-sensitivity camera enables data acquisition at night.
Demand for this technology is especially promising in North America and Europe, where high-definition 3D maps are required as base data for autonomous-driving demonstrations currently under way and envisioned commercial systems in the future.
