ZF and Baidu plan collaboration for autonomous driving solutions in China
While ZF contributes its ProAI vehicle control system, Baidu brings expertise in artificial intelligence, big data and cloud-based service solutions.
ZF Friedrichshafen AG and Chinese Internet company Baidu have announced a new strategic cooperation. The two partners intend to collaborate in the areas of autonomous driving and telematics as well as mobility services to develop extensive technical solutions for autonomous driving in China.
“With Baidu, we have a partner onboard that has outstanding expertise with artificial intelligence, big data and cloud-based service solutions,” says ZF CEO Dr. Stefan Sommer. “This information is fundamental for the technologies needed for autonomous driving. With our vehicle control system ZF ProAI, we can merge this information with other data from car-to-X communication and offer our customers autonomous driving solutions as a one-stop supplier.”
ZF and Baidu intend to bring their specific know-how to the new technology alliance and promote knowledge sharing of technologies – helping to take autonomous driving and telematics forward in China. New business models for the Chinese market are expected to emerge based on the established market position of both companies.
Robin Wu, vice-president of Baidu, added: “The popularity of autonomous driving is now facing the problems such as reformation of industrial structure and technology innovation, etc. Therefore the cooperation is the key to accelerate the actual utilisation of autonomous driving and business commercialization.”
Since 2013, Baidu has invested increasingly in research and development for autonomous vehicle systems. In April this year, the company launched ‘Project Apollo’ which is an open, completed and secured platform to help automotive and autonomous driving partners to accelerate building their own exclusive autonomous driving system based on vehicle and hardware systems.
RELATED ARTICLES
Netradyne expands UK operations via partnership with Intelex
The collaboration between Netradyne and Intelex marks a substantial leap forward in advancing road safety and fleet mana...
Audi Q6L e-tron, Q5 e-tron RS, SQ6 coming to Beijing motor show 2024
Long-wheelbase Audi Q6 e-tron, SQ6 based on PPE platform.
Sona Comstar opens new plant in Mexico to cater to growing EV demand in N America
The new facility, set up to meet the growing demand for high-quality driveline solutions for BEVs in North America, will...