Lotus Robotics, the intelligent driving division of Lotus Technology, has announced a strategic collaboration with HERE Technologies, a leading provider of location data and mapping technology. The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to co-develop an advanced Highway Navigation Pilot system that delivers Level 2+ (L2+) automated driving features.

This partnership marks a significant step toward enhancing intelligent driving systems in Europe, with the L2+ solution targeted for homologation by 2025. Designed to offer hands-off driving in specific conditions, the system will first be integrated into future Lotus vehicles and will also be available to other automakers across the European market.

At the core of this L2+ solution is a combination of Lotus Robotics’ full-stack hardware and software expertise with HERE Technologies’ HD Live Map platform. The Highway Navigation Pilot will feature capabilities such as automated lane changes, highway transitions, and overtaking maneuvers — all essential for safe and efficient highway driving.

Lotus Robotics will lead the engineering of this solution, while HERE’s high-definition map will serve as a critical component of the system. HD maps like HERE’s provide vehicles with precise, real-time information that supplements onboard sensors. This integration significantly improves situational awareness by offering forward-looking data on road geometry, traffic rules, and other critical infrastructure elements — especially useful in complex driving scenarios where sensors may fall short.

“The demand for L2+ ADAS and Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) is rapidly growing, especially in highway applications around the world,” said Dr. Bo Li, CEO of Lotus Robotics. “We are committed to building an open, scalable ecosystem in partnership with industry leaders. The HD map service provided by HERE is a key element of our automated driving technology stack, and we look forward to a fast-paced global rollout of this solution.”

This new endeavor builds on the existing relationship between Lotus and HERE. In 2022, the two companies collaborated to develop a customized navigation solution for the all-electric Lotus Eletre hyper-SUV and the hyper-GT Lotus Emeya. That partnership has now evolved into a broader initiative to push the boundaries of L2+ automation.

Jason Jameson, Chief Customer Officer at HERE Technologies, highlighted the significance of this collaboration: “We’re thrilled to work alongside Lotus Robotics in advancing the future of automated driving. Reliable, high-quality location data is essential to ensuring safety and efficiency in autonomous systems. Together, we’re setting a new benchmark for what’s possible on the road.”

HERE’s maps are powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, processing hundreds of millions of kilometers of vehicle sensor and probe data every hour. Their technology is embedded in over 222 million vehicles worldwide, with more than 54 million currently relying on HERE maps for ADAS and autonomous driving functionalities.

By joining forces, Lotus Robotics and HERE aim to deliver a next-generation automated driving experience that combines precision, safety, and innovation — setting the stage for smarter mobility solutions across the automotive industry.