Intel has agreed to purchase a 15% ownership stake in HERE – a global provider of digital maps and location-based services. If you remember, HERE was sold by Nokia to the automakers consortium of AUDI AG, BMW AG and Daimler AG for US$3 billion in 2015.
Autonomous vehicles, connected cars and the Internet of Things (IoT) aren’t just buzzwords that are being thrown around. They’re future technologies that make sense of data, the cloud and connected devices.
“Cars are rapidly becoming some of the world’s most intelligent, connected devices,” said Brian Krzanich, Intel CEO.
Alongside the acquisition stake, the two companies also signed an agreement to collaborate on R&D of highly scalable proof-of-concept architecture that supports real-time updates of high definition maps. This will enable highly and fully automated driving.
Krzanich also said Intel looks forward to working with HERE and automotive partners “to deliver the technology foundation for smart and connected cars of the future.”
The proof-of-concept architecture HERE and Intel plan to deliver is to help make autonomous driving as safe and predictable as possible.
Today’s navigation technology can pinpoint a car’s location within meters, which isn’t at all. Next generation HD mapping however, pushes this to within centimeters. This accuracy is vital for reliable autonomous driving.
HERE HD Live Map – HERE’s cloud service supporting vehicle automation, gives vehicles the ability to “see” obstacles beyond their immediate field of vision. It enables vehicles to receive real-time updates i.e. traffic, road conditions and other factors.
The acquisition stake transaction is expected to finalise in the first quarter of 2017, pending regulatory approvals.
Source: Intel
