Mercedes-Benz teams up with Luminar on self-driving tech

The Mercedes-Benz emblem is pictured at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Present (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany, September 10, 2019. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski/File Picture

San Francisco, Jan 20 (Reuters) – Luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz will associate with self-driving sensor maker Luminar Systems Inc (LAZR.O) to allow totally automatic driving on highways for its up coming-era motor vehicles, Luminar’s founder explained.

Automakers from Tesla to GM and Volvo have established their eyes on introducing autonomous motor vehicles, though regulatory and technological worries continue to be. browse far more

Tech companies such as Alphabet’s Waymo and Cruise also are establishing self-driving taxis or vans for industrial use these types of as journey-hailing and shipping and delivery services.

Car or truck autonomy “is really likely mainstream with Mercedes,” Luminar CEO Austin Russell advised Reuters, devoid of disclosing a timeframe for placing the know-how in Mercedes’ cars.

He explained the two would establish “accurate” autonomy abilities, together with improved protection abilities this kind of as automatic braking.

Common Motors Co (GM.N) is performing with its the greater part-owned Cruise self-driving unit to introduce a particular autonomous automobile by as early as mid-decade, Main Executive Mary Barra claimed this thirty day period.

“If you want to be able to get to actually autonomous capabilities in a shopper motor vehicle, and you have to industrialize hardware, program, all of these systems that arrive into participate in. That by the way, is totally distinct than the work that the robo-taxi businesses have been operating on,” Russell mentioned.

He stated it is a obstacle to mass produce lidars and make certain they are strong more than enough to satisfy stringent requirements from automakers.

“It is a absolutely various form of business of likely from a science and know-how company to automotive corporation.”

Lidars, which use laser light-weight pulses to measure the length concerning the sensor and the target object, are extensively observed as important to achieving complete autonomous driving. But Tesla has shunned the sensor, stating it is high priced and pointless.

Volvo Vehicles (VOLCARb.ST) and Luminar mentioned previously this thirty day period that they will place a palms-free driving technique in an future electric sport utility car or truck.

Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin Editing by Kim Coghill

Our Criteria: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.