BMW and Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, join forces to develop automated driving technology. It is the two German automakers' second collaboration in less than a week.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Balk
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In their latest strategic partnership agreement, BMW and Daimler announced Thursday that they have joined forces to develop automated driving technology.
The German automakers have agreed to a "long-term, strategic cooperation" to more quickly develop advanced driver assistance systems, automated driving on closed spaces and automated parking, they said in a statement. They hope "to make next-level technologies widely available" by 2025.
"Combining the strength of our two companies will boost our innovative strength and speed up the spread of this technology," said Klaus Fröhlich, BMW's head of development.
BMW and Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz and Smart, have launched multiple collaborative efforts as they try to fend off competition from tech companies like Uber and Waymo. Last week, the two rival auto manufacturers launched a €1 billion ($1.1 billion) joint venture in auto-related digital services such as car-sharing, ride-hailing and ticketless parking.
A level short
The collaboration will focus on automated driving technologies associated with what the industry defines as level three and four. Level three refers to technology where the vehicle can detect its surroundings and respond to circumstances, but the driver must be ready to take control at all times. Level four means the vehicle can drive itself but only on certain conditions.
BMW and Daimler said that, for now, they will stop short of level five, where an onboard computer would completely take over driving the car in all circumstances. However, the firms would "discuss the possibility of extending their collaboration to cover higher levels of automation, both on highways and in urban areas."
Who even needs a car these days?
For a hundred years, buses, trains and cars have shaped transport. But what will become of diesel and petrol engines, even the steering wheel, when e-mobility and self-driving cars take over? There is no lack of visions.
Image: PodRide
Welcome to the traffic jam!
Germans are as attached to their forms of transport as the English are to their monarchy. No wonder: Gottlieb Daimler invented the modern car; Nicolaus August Otto co-invented the internal combustion engine. Every child knows the brands Daimler, BMW, Audi and VW, and that motorways were first built in Germany. But transport systems will become greener and more flexible, traffic researchers say.
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The city of tomorrow
Since 2008, more people live in cities than in rural areas, and that trend is increasing. Urban zones will become CO2-neutral, climate-adapted, digitized and automated, Fraunhofer Morgenstadt Initiative researchers say. Networking will encourage more efficient means of transport, the sharing economy will catch on, mobility will become a service. No more need for your own car.
Smart — the age of digitization
With worldwide networking possible via the internet, cities and traffic systems can be coordinated. This could mean automatically switching traffic lights according to the flow of vehicles. Sensors could transmit data and prevent vehicles from hitting each other, thus avoiding accidents. Servicing, maintenance, insurance and parking meters may become unnecessary.
Image: SRF
Traditionally safe versus digitally self-driving
Will Amazon, Google and others become the new carmakers and put the drivers in the back seat? Interesting question — although self-driving cars have recently been dealt a setback. Testing at US company Uber was suspended after a self-driving car ran over a woman by night.
Image: Reuters/A. Josefczyk
Goodbye to road rage?
Today the streets are clogged, lights are red, you're stuck in a traffic jam, going to miss that appointment. Car horns, anger, insults: that's stressful. But rage and provocation could become things of the past if self-driving cars become the norm. Then, passengers can sit back and laugh about the old days.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/F. Cirou
The rise of the platform
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Image: picture-alliance/dpa/W.Gang
Discontinued model
The car's future is electric, that seems to be the consensus; the only question is, when? Despite investing billions into e-cars, there's a lack of options and sites for charging electric vehicles. Together with high costs, consumers are concerned. Alternatives to e-cars could fill the gap: fuel-electric hybrids, and other vehicles powered by hydrogen or synthetic fuels.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Marks
Yellow goes green
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Image: DW/A. Setiawan
Jack of all trades
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Image: PodRide
Autonomous flying car project
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Image: picture-alliance/dpa
E-mobile in the air
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Image: Bauhaus-Luftfahrt e.V.
The steepest funicular in the world
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Image: Reuters/A.Wiegmann
The mobility revolution is in full swing
Can you imagine the world without your own car? Until now, the car has represented prosperity and independence. But experts see mobility as becoming smart in the near future, with cars being used by multiple users and forming just one part of a range of mobility offerings.