Google Inc. is close to inking a deal with Continental AG and IBM to develop self-driving systems for cars.
The alliance between the largest internet giant, Google, German automotive parts maker, Continental AG and leading computer hardware and software manufacture, International Business Machines (IBM), will take the self-driving technology systems toward a new course of direction. The interesting partnership between the leading companies is yet to be announced officially but a German newspaper reports that the companies will work together to develop autonomous driving systems for cars.
Self-driving technology has been a controversial topic with various governments and some are even considering a ban on the technology in their respective countries. Google has been working on the technology since 2010, including testing a fleet of self-driving cars in California, Nevada and Florida with its converted Toyota Prius. Last month, the British government agreed to the use of autonomous cars in the U.K. streets.
According to the Daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (via Reuters), sources revealed that Continental AG plans to unveil the two pacts at the Frankfurt Car Show in September. Although it is not clear if the alliance is for developing a complete car, a system or something more interesting in favor of the upcoming self-driving technology
The alliance, cited by the German news site, is an addition to the existing partnership between Continental and U.S. network equipment maker Cisco Systems to develop self-driving technology systems and data transfer between cars.
Leading automobile companies including GM, Ford, Toyota and Volkswagen are working on new automatic features that will help in preventing accidents.
