Navteq has been selected by Swiss truck manufacturer Scania to deliver detailed map data for its new Active Prediction system.

Active Prediction anticipates the upcoming topography of the road, which is expected to optimise fuel usage by adjusting the cruising speed before starting a descent or an ascent.

The system can interpret features on the Navteq map, including precise road geometry, curvature and slope, as well as provide the relevant predictive information for road conditions.

Scania head of engine torque control Oskar Johansson said the map data is stored in the Scania Communicator, which already incorporates GPS positioning and the system interacts with the engine management system to control the speed of the vehicle.

"Highly accurate information on the road ahead is vital for this system to operate effectively and the technology used to develop Navteq data is leading the way in enabling next generation maps with attributes, which move beyond navigation and support advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as active prediction," Johansson said.

Scania has developed a topography-based cruise control using Navteq map data, which is transferred by a map engine developed by Continental.

Active Prediction will help both experienced and inexperienced motorists travelling on unknown routes, such as in the dark or in adverse weather conditions.

In other areas, and when the GPS signal is lost, the system will revert to a normal cruise control function. The map data is stored in the unit’s memory and can be updated by a Scania service workshop.

Currently, Scania Active Prediction has complete coverage of the Western and Central parts of Europe; it will be available for Scania customers in the continent within the next couple of months.