Method and device for creating a digital map

A device, comprising:

• a computing unit for creating a digital map, comprising the following steps:
• retrieving map data values representing a base map, wherein the base map includes information on traffic routes with one or more lanes and surroundings features, wherein the information represents at least one configuration of the lanes, wherein the surroundings features represent geographical objects which can be detected by a surroundings sensor system of a vehicle,
• determining areas that make automated driving possible depending on the configuration of the lanes and depending on the surroundings features,
• creating the digital map by supplementing the base map with the determined areas, and
• providing the digital map for operating an automated vehicle.

A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium on which is stored a computer program for creating a digital map, the computer program, when executed by a computer, causing the computer to perform the following steps:

• retrieving map data values representing a base map, wherein the base map includes information on traffic routes with one or more lanes and surroundings features, wherein the information represents at least one configuration of the lanes, wherein the surroundings features represent geographical objects which can be detected by a surroundings sensor system of a vehicle;
• determining areas that make automated driving possible depending on the configuration of the lanes and depending on the surroundings features;
• creating the digital map by supplementing the base map with the determined areas;
• and
• providing the digital map for operating an automated vehicle.

A method for operating an automated vehicle, comprising the following steps:

• determining a current position of the automated vehicle using a satellite-based positioning method;
• determining a driving strategy for the automated vehicle, depending on the current position, based on a digital map, the digital map being created by:
• retrieving map data values representing a base map, wherein the base map includes information on traffic routes with one or more lanes and surroundings features, wherein the information represents at least one configuration of the lanes, wherein the surroundings features represent geographical objects which can be detected by a surroundings sensor system of a vehicle,
• determining areas that make automated driving possible depending on the configuration of the lanes and depending on the surroundings features,
• creating the digital map by supplementing the base map with the determined areas,
• wherein the driving strategy includes a trajectory to an area that makes automated driving possible;
• and
• operating the automated vehicle, depending on the driving strategy.