Wanted in China: Detailed digital maps for 30 million self-driving cars

Anyone looking to sell driver-less cars in the world's largest automobile market has to find a local partner with maps than can be used by their vehicles

Chen Dan had doubts about betting millions of dollars to make high definition maps of Chinese roads. That was until she took charge of the business at NavInfo Co. and saw how they are essential to self-driving cars, with a demand that could reach into the billions.

Armed with one of just 14 mapping licenses in China, a permit system restricted to locals that locks out foreign rivals, Chen has built a team that will chart every traffic lane and on-ramp for 150,000 kilometers of highways by the middle of next year. With the support of Tencent Holdings Ltd., NavInfo is