Brian Krzanich, chief executive of semiconductor technology producer Intel, announced yesterday that the company’s corporate venturing unit, Intel Capital, intends to invest $250m in autonomous driving technology in the next two years.
Those investments will help fuel improvements in automotive connectivity, communication, context awareness, deep learning, security and safety, by using internet-of-things technology and data to improve safety, mobility and efficiency.
Intel Capital committed $100m to a Connected Car Fund in 2012, and the fund has since invested in companies including Japan-based automotive driving and robotics equipment maker ZMP, which is reportedly set to soon float in Japan, as well as CloudMade, Mocana and Tobii Technology.
Intel is also collaborating with carmaker BMW Group and driver assistance technology provider Mobileye on the development of automated driving systems they plan to begin producing in 2021, as part of an agreement formed in July this year.
Krzanich revealed the company’s plans as part of a keynote speech at the Los Angeles Auto Show’s AutoMobility conference.
– Photo courtesy of Intel Corporation