Daimler deepens ties with China’s Baidu on automated driving – TechCrunch
What happened: Baidu and Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, have signed a MoU to deepen their partnership in automated driving and vehicle connectivity services. Under the newly signed agreement, the Daimler will collaborate with specifically with Baidu’s open-source autonomous driving platform, Apollo. The German automaker said it will integrate Baidu’s connectivity services into the Mercedes-Benz’s new in-car infotainment system.
Why it’s important: Chinese internet giant Baidu has evolved into a major player in autonomous driving technology since the launch of the Apollo platform last year. Up until now, the Apollo platform has formed partnerships with 119 companies worldwide. Daimler has been making inroads into China’s self-driving scene. The automaker was granted a license to test self-driving vehicles on public roads in Beijing earlier this month, becoming the first non-Chinese automaker to earn such a license.