The maps are created using 3D LIDAR systems that rely on light to scan the local space, accumulating millions of data points and extracting the features defining each place.
Most self-driving car companies only test their fleets in major cities where they have developed detailed 3D maps that are meticulously labeled with the exact positions of things like lanes, curbs, and stop signs. These maps include environmental features detected by the sensors of the vehicle. The maps are created using 3D LIDAR systems that rely on light to scan the local space, accumulating millions of data points and extracting the features defining each place.