Hefei, China — Every morning, Gao Tianlai straps on his equipment and sets out to map the intricate roads of Hefei City in eastern China. As a mapping surveyor for an unmanned vehicles company, Gao’s mission is to collect precise map data that will guide driverless cars safely through the bustling city streets.
“The maps used by driverless vehicles are far more precise than the navigation maps we use every day,” explains Gao, a dedicated professional born in the 1990s. “While typical navigation apps are accurate to the lane level or meter level, high-precision maps for unmanned vehicles need to be accurate to the centimeter level,” he added.
Gao’s work involves meticulously recording every detail of the road environment—from flower beds and lane markings to railings and traffic signs. “The deviation must be within five centimeters,” he emphasizes. “Any errors in the collection or production of high-precision maps could cause unmanned vehicles to cross solid lines, graze nearby vehicles, or even endanger pedestrians at crosswalks.”
The role of map surveyors like Gao is crucial in the rapidly advancing unmanned driving sector. High-precision mapping forms the foundation upon which driverless technology operates, ensuring that autonomous vehicles can navigate complex urban environments with accuracy and safety.
“Our job is not just a part of making the high-precision map,” Gao reflects, “it’s the most basic and most critical part. We are essentially the eyes of the unmanned vehicles, providing them with the detailed information they need to make real-time decisions on the road.”
As the Chinese mainland continues to invest in autonomous driving technology, young professionals like Gao are at the forefront of this innovation. Their dedication and expertise are propelling the industry forward, bringing the future of transportation closer to reality.
For Gao, the work is rewarding despite its challenges. “Knowing that my efforts contribute to the safety and efficiency of driverless cars makes it all worthwhile,” he says with a smile. “We’re not just mapping roads—we’re paving the way for the future.”
Reference(s):
Young Chinese become surveyors, help boost unmanned driving sector
cgtn.com
