Automobile manufacturer BMW Group is planning to deploy HERE’s HD Live Map for self-driving cars in its future models.

Both parties entered a commercial contract, under which the HD Live Map is expected to feature in BMW models from the beginning of the next decade.

The map will feature in models with Level 3 and Level 4 automation to improve safety and comfort for drivers and passengers.

HERE Technologies Automotive senior vice-president Ralf Herrtwich said: “BMW’s trust in our map reinforces our view that with our innovative product, long-term development strategy and sustained investment programme, we are well-placed to meet the needs of automakers as they introduce more automation into their vehicles.”

The agreement with BMW represents HERE’s first contract with an automobile manufacturer to introduce HD Live Map into production models.

“Together with HD Live Map, we have essential building blocks for highly and fully automated driving in place for the long term.”

BMW Group Electronics senior vice-president Christoph Grote said: “The BMW Group has around ten million connected vehicles on the road.

“BMW Group vehicles fitted with the relevant sensors have been collecting real-time mobility information since 2015.”

HD Live Map will receive updated more rapidly and provides precise results than the conventional navigation systems.

Grote added: “Together with HD Live Map, we have essential building blocks for highly and fully automated driving in place for the long term.

“As we progress towards this point, we will be able to offer our customers further location-based services and driver assistance information later this year.”

By the end of this year, HD Live Map will include up to one million kilometres of roads across North America and Europe, with specific details such as lane configurations, speed limits and shoulders, as well as a complete layer of roadside objects and 3D obstacles.