China Relaxes High Definition Mapping Regulations To Power Self-Driving Cars

Chinese authorities have been cautiously easing restrictions on data collection for high definition maps used in self-driving technology, expanding the commercial use of some geographical information previously classified as state secrets, according to newly revised regulations.

High definition maps, viewed as a basic component for self-driving technology, contain a wide range of geographical data including automobiles, roads, and the surrounding environment.

China’s natural resources ministry and state secrets protection administration released the updated rules on state secrets protection in surveying and mapping (link in Chinese) in July, which first came into effect in 2003.

Previously, information regarding road gradients, curvature and texture, were prohibited to be collected for commercial use. “Even bridge load and height limits were not allowed to be released in the 2003 regulation, although that type of information is available on road signs,” an industry insider told Caixin.

Data about a certain area of less than 6 square kilometers was not required to be encrypted, that limit has now been expanded to 25 square kilometers. The industry insider explained that, if it is a road that covers 25 square kilometers, then the new regulation provides substantially more convenience for self-driving technology to access that information.

Authorities have also been considering relaxing restrictions on gradient and curvature data of highways and expressways, which are used in advanced driver assistance (ADAS) for the purpose of energy efficiency in self driving technology.

Wang Zhigang, chairman of the board at eMapgo Technologies Co., Ltd., one of the five companies in China that provide nationwide mapping data, told Caixin that with the gradient data available and the ADAS system could save fuel consumption by 8%-12%.

The natural resources ministry has also been planning to lower the market access standards for companies to provide surveying and mapping services.

However, a manager responsible for high definition map services at an internet company said the country’s current regulation on data protection in surveying and mapping is still stringent, while the data is crucial to R&D.

The industry insider said there is a gap between government and businesses: those government agencies are more concerned about national security risks in relaxing restrictions on data collecting, while businesses are more focused on commercial application. “For now, only could expect to make efforts on regulation adjustments.”

Contact reporter Lu Zhenhua (zhenhualu@caixin.com) and editor Marcus Ryder (marcusryder@caixin.com)