Aptiv takes its self-driving car ambitions (and tech) to China – Techcrunch
What happened: US-based self-driving software company Aptiv is opening an autonomous mobility center in Shanghai, with plans to eventually deploy its technology on public roads. The company is currently in talks with prospective partners for mapping commercial deployment of its cars in China.
Why it’s important: While Aptiv has technically been active in China since 1993, its mobility center will mark the first time the company has had autonomous vehicle (AV) operations in the country. Aptiv sees China as an important part of its business, given the extent to which the market is expected to grow between now and 2040. However, red tape could cause trouble for its China operations. Foreign self-driving technology companies face restrictions when it comes to high-resolution mapping and data collection. Partnerships with Chinese companies will play a key role in its ability to function effectively. The company also has AV operations in the US and Singapore.