Semiconductor giant Intel will buy 15 percent stake in HERE, a provider of digital maps and location-based services, from automobile majors AUDI, BMW and Daimler.
Earlier, Nokia owned HERE and sold to a consortium owned by AUDI, BWM and Daimler, as part of focusing on its Mobile Internet solutions business.
Intel and HERE will conduct research and development of a scalable proof-of-concept architecture that supports real-time updates of high definition (HD) maps for automated driving. Intel and HERE plan to explore opportunities that result from edge-computing devices with location data.
“We look forward to working with HERE and its automotive partners to deliver an important technology foundation for smart and connected cars of the future,” said Brian Krzanich, Intel CEO.
HERE’s proof-of-concept architecture will be designed to make autonomous driving safe. Today’s navigation technology can pinpoint a car’s location to within meters, but next generation, HD mapping supports localization to within centimeters. This will help vehicles position themselves on the roadway to enable reliable autonomous driving functionality.
HERE HD Live Map, HERE’s cloud service supporting vehicle automation, gives the ability to “see” obstacles beyond their immediate field of vision and receive real-time updates as environments change due to traffic, road conditions and other factors.
Intel will work with AUDI, BMW and Daimler to test the architecture. Intel and HERE envision making the architecture broadly available across the automotive industry as a seamlessly integrated offering that simplifies and shortens time of development for automakers.
Intel focuses on in-vehicle computing; machine-learning solutions; and -speed wireless connectivity. The new location services that result from this collaboration can fuel the growth of cloud computing and the Internet of Things.
Doug Davis, senior vice president and general manager of the Automated Driving Group (ADG) at Intel, will be part of HERE’s Supervisory Board of directors after completing the transaction. Financial details were not disclosed.
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