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JOIN Supports Creating High-Definition Road Map in North America

 Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development (JOIN, headquartered in Tokyo, President & CEO: Tatsuhiko Takesada) has decided and received approval from the Minister of the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan to invest up to approximately JPY5.5 billion in North America to participate in creating a high-definition map data and software with Dynamic Map Platform Co., Ltd. (DMP, headquartered in Tokyo, CEO: Hiroyuki Inahata) through its US subsidiary Ushr, Inc. (Ushr, headquartered in Michigan, USA, CEO: Chris Thibodeau).

 With the funds provided by JOIN and DMP for this investment, Ushr will create and provide high-definition road map (HD map) in North America. This investment is also expected to contribute to “Promote the Use of Digital Technologies/Data”, which is one of the concrete pillars set in the Japanese Government’s “Infrastructure System Overseas Promotion Strategy 2025.” This is the first time for JOIN to invest in the field of digital data development.

 Ushr provides accurate and high-quality HD map in North America utilizing DMP’s expertise accumulated from the completion of creating the HD map for motorways restricted to cars in Japan. In North America, 213,000 Miles of HD map equipped cars have been launched in the market. Ushr plans to further expand its data coverage to ordinary roads in North America.

 Through this investment, JOIN’s support is not limited to providing US company Ushr with the technology and know-how related to HD map developed by DMP but also helping Japanese automakers expand their sales of cars equipped with the same HD map and software data format as Japan in North America. Additionally, DMP can be expected to be one of pioneers in providing the system as autonomous driving becomes prevalent around the world. Furthermore, with the international standardization of HD map including Europe and the US expected in the future, JOIN will support and facilitate the discussions and negotiations with the public sectors thereby expand DMP’s technological expertise in the overseas markets.

JOIN Supports Creating High-Definition Road Map in North America