Feature data storage apparatus

A feature data storage apparatus for storing feature data distributions based on driving information items collected from a plurality of vehicles, the feature data storage apparatus comprising:

• a feature database configured to store feature data items and attribute data items such that each of the feature data items correlates to at least one of the attribute data items, each of the attribute data items representing an attribute of at least one of the feature data items;
• a distribution database configured to store distribution information items respectively representing feature distributions, each of the feature distributions including a set of feature data items that correlates to a common one of the attribute data items, each of the distribution information items being stored to correlate to the common one of the attribute data items;
• and
• a computer configured to:
• calculate, in accordance with a maximum mean discrepancy, a similarity level between:
• a first feature distribution correlating to a first distribution information item stored in the distribution database;
• and
• a second feature distribution correlating to a second distribution information item stored in the distribution database, the second distribution information item being different from the first distribution information item, the maximum mean discrepancy being a distance measure indicative of the similarity level between the first and second feature distributions;
• determine whether the calculated similarity level is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold;
• and
• integrate the first feature distribution and the second feature distribution into a common feature distribution upon determining that the calculated similarity level is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold.