The government has released research which suggests that location data will play a key role in the safe deployment of self-driving road vehicle.

The report, published by the Geospatial Commission, said that autonomous vehicles will rely on location data to know where they are in relation to their surroundings and make them aware of other vehicles and pedestrians.

The study adds that location data and related technology could enable vehicles to communicate with each other and smart infrastructure to improve traffic and congestion, but there are challenges around data discoverability, accessibility and quality.

According to the research, location data would also enable self-driving vehicles to use AI apps to make decisions about the best route to take and how to respond to obstacles in the road. Additionally, location data could be combined with sensors to make vehicles aware of their surroundings.

The Geospatial Commission said that by 2035 around 40 per cent of cars in the UK would have self-driving capabilities and the market could be worth around £42 billion.

Steve Unger, independent commissioner at the Geospatial Commission, said that self-driving vehicles will make roads safer as well as improving traffic efficiency and quality of life.

He added: “They are made possible by technological advances in various areas, such as sensor technology and artificial intelligence, but the practical application of these new technologies depends critically on access to location data. Detailed mapping of the street environment, in a form that is readily discoverable, easily accessible, and of high quality, will be key to realising the potential benefit.”

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