In recent years, research and development of the automatic driving technology for automobiles, air vehicles and ships etc. have actively been carried out. The foundation of the technology is self-localization, a technique that enables the moving object to estimate its position in space. Mapping is an essential element for this self-localization. In this paper, the 3D map information required for maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) is discussed. The authors outline related technologies for automobiles and urban infrastructures and examine the possibility of using such information for MASS. We also explain the results of a trial to display route information for MASS on existing digital maps.
