BMW and Daimler announced their collaboration on the development of automated driving technologies.
This is the second joint project the two German automakers, following the announcement of their $1.1 billion urban mobility joint venture last week.
BMW Group and Daimler will co-develop the next-generation of driver-assistance systems, including Level 3 and 4 automated driving and parking. This collaboration will enable the two companies to bring the new Level 4 technologies faster to production, with 2025 set as a target.
Through their collaboration, the two German automakers will combine their resources into one open platform and accelerate the development of what is considered a key area of the automotive industry for the future.
BMW is planning to offer Level 3 automated driving with the upcoming iNext electric SUV in 2021. Mercedes will also have Level 3 technologies in some of its models early in the next decade.
“Instead of individual, stand-alone solutions, we want to develop a reliable overall system that offers noticeable added-value for customers,” said Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler. “Working with the right partners, we want to make significant advances in enhancing the performance of this technology and bring it safely on the road.”
Klaus Fröhlich, Member of the Board of Management of BMW, added: “At the BMW Group, long-term partnerships within a flexible, scalable, non-exclusive platform are fundamental to advancing the industrialisation of autonomous driving. Combining the key expertise of our two companies will boost our innovative strength and speed up the spread of this technology.”
