Partnership plans to utilise Luminar’ foundational lidar technology with a goal to industrialise and integrate it into series production of Mercedes-Benz vehicles
Austin Russell, Luminar founder and CEO with Markus Schäfer. (Credit: Daimler AG)
Mercedes-Benz has entered into a partnership with automotive technology company Luminar Technologies with an objective to fast track development of future automated driving technologies for its passenger cars.
The partnership is intended to utilise Luminar Technologies’ foundational lidar technology with a goal of industrialising and integrating it into the series production of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
According to Luminar Technologies, its Iris lidar technology, which is presently being readied for series production, is anticipated to boost vehicle safety and the technical capabilities of highly automated driving systems.
Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, said that by reducing development cycles and bolstering technology partnerships, it seeks to make sure that its vehicles have the latest technologies.
Daimler management board member and Mercedes-Benz chief technology officer Markus Schäfer, who is responsible for development and procurement, said: “Luminar is the perfect addition to our existing roster of first-class cooperations with leading and cutting–edge tech companies.
“Mercedes-Benz’s achievement of SAE Level 3 already marked a huge milestone for automated driving and I am absolutely convinced that partnerships will increase our level of ambition for what is possible in future. Cooperation is an essential part of Mercedes-Benz’s strategy.”
Mercedes-Benz also stated that it will enable Luminar Technologies with a data driven development approach, as part of the partnership, to ensure that the product improvements and updates are continuous.
Luminar Technologies founder and CEO Austin Russell said: “This partnership is a landmark moment in the industry, demonstrating how substantially increased safety and autonomous driving functions on consumer vehicles are going from sci-fi to mainstream.
“Mercedes-Benz has always been a technological leader and first mover for the industry, with the brand synonymous with automotive innovation, safety, luxury, and quality.”
In late 2021, the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) had approved Mercedes-Benz’s semi-autonomous driving system called Drive Pilot. The approval enables the luxury car brand to start offering the equipment globally.