babypuppi: [10] Usa Bmw On This Week Topic

Monday, December 31, 2018

[10] Usa Bmw On This Week Topic

The sensors on Delphi's latest self-driving test vehicles are closely integrated into the vehicle's body.(Photo: Delphi Automotive PLC)

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German automaker BMW Group and U.S. tech giant Intel strengthened their self-driving car alliance with the addition of auto supplier Delphi, putting the companies a step closer to their goal of delivering an autonomous car by 2021.

BMW and Intel said Tuesday that they had struck a deal to collaborate with Delphi on development and integration of self-driving car technology, with a particular emphasis "in the areas of perception, sensor fusion and high performance automated driving computing."

Richard Rau, BMW's vice president of sensors, control units and software, also told reporters that the company is in "very deep discussions" to add other automakers to the alliance, possibly "within a few weeks."

The alliance reflects a further escalation in the arms race among automakers, tech companies and suppliers to assemble partnerships to meet the intense technological, logistical and financial demands of autonomous vehicle development.

The latest deal is not exclusive, meaning Delphi can collaborate with others. Delphi's expertise in data analysis and electrical architecture are viewed as critical to the development of autonomous cars.

One unique element of the BMW-Intel partnership is its plans to offer its technology to other companies, presumably under licensing deals or some other lucrative financial arrangement.

Executives declined to comment on the financials.

"This is not just a platform for BMW — it’s a platform for the market, and that’s a truly unique aspect to what’s being done here," Delphi Chief Technology Officer Glen De Vos told reporters.

The alliance comes after Delphi recently announced plans to split into two companies, with one focused on electrical systems for self-driving cars and the second focused on powertrains.

But after Intel recently announced plans to acquire self-driving car tech powerhouse Mobileye for $15 billion, the BMW-Intel-Delphi alliance can make a case for industry leadership.

Others that are collaborating include German automaker Daimler's Mercedes-Benz and auto supplier Bosch, Detroit automaker General Motors and ride-hailing app Lyft, and former Google driverless car project Waymo and Lyft.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.

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