Ordnance Survey underpins UK driverless car testing

Geospatial data is key for accurately testing in digital environments

Ordnance Survey (OS) is one of 11 partners in OmniCAV, a £3.9m project to develop a world-first Artificial Intelligence-based simulation model for testing autonomous car safety. The simulation environment will feature a 32km circuit of Oxfordshire roads, covering rural, urban, main roads and intersections. The simulation will be used to create and run different scenarios for the safe testing of CAVs, and will support certification bodies, insurers and manufacturers.

OS will lead the capture, processing and serving of geospatial high-resolution mapping data. This will include 3D geometry and information about the roadside assets and their characteristics, so that data standards and requirements can be developed for the real-world deployment and operation of CAVs.

OS used similar techniques in projects such as CityVerve, the UK’s IoT demonstrator, and in Bournemouth as a test case to produce a 5G planning and rollout tool. OS will also draw on the experience of its Atlas and E-CAVE initiatives that are helping the government shape a national infrastructure capable of supporting a nationwide network of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs).

Miranda Sharp, Head of Innovation at Ordnance Survey, said: “OmniCAV is one of a number of UK government-sponsored projects that supports the position of the UK as the best place in the world for autonomous vehicle testing. Building on the unique strengths of OS capability and data, the aim for OmniCAV is to help accelerate the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles on UK roads by permitting testing in linked versions of the real-world environment and a digital one. To achieve the CAV ambition, geospatial data is key. Not just to the creation of a realistic simulation environment to test in, but also to the eventual deployment of a new infrastructure to enable improved connectivity and mobility. It’s an exciting time for technology and innovation and we’re looking forward to working with our partners and helping make the UK a world leader in this area.”

The OmniCAV project is part of a wider £12.1 million UK government funding package to support the development and nation-wide deployment of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs).

Kirsty Lloyd-Jukes, CEO of project lead Latent Logic said “OmniCAV’s vision is “CAVs for All”: bringing safer, smarter, self-driving mobility for urban and rural areas. But first we need to know that driverless cars really can handle our challenging road conditions, on country lanes as much as crowded city streets. Virtual reality “driving tests” are the only way of doing this, which is why we’ve brought together these 11 leading organisations to build a world-first, A.I.-based simulation of real Oxfordshire roads to securely and reliably test autonomous car safety.”

 For further information, examples of businesses, interviews and images contact Keegan Wilson, 02380 055332 keegan.wilson@os.uk

 About OmniCAV

Development of a testing certification tool that can be used by accreditation bodies, insurers and manufacturers to accelerate the development of CAVs. The project is an important step towards the development of Geospatial Digital Twins – digital operational models of the real world that will support and enable infrastructure and mobility using data and information from a number of sources, often in real-time. Innovate UK is grant funding £2.7m of the £3.9m project costs.

About E-CAVE

A study of requirements for a national infrastructure capable of supporting a nationwide network of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs).

About Atlas

A study to identify the data critical to the efficient operation of autonomous vehicles. 

About Ordnance Survey

Ordnance Survey (OS) is Great Britain’s mapping service for government, business and citizens. Our geospatial data serves the national interest by enabling a safe, healthy and prosperous society. Everything happens somewhere, and every day we support the delivery of efficient public services, support land management & planning, help protect our environment and underpin national security, infrastructure and emergency services. With our partners, we provide expertise and accurate location data and services to help create a resilient nation, ready for next-generation technology. We’re driven to ensure Britain can build a world-leading digital and connected economy of the future.