BMW, Merc launch new drive

German high-end car giants BMW and Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler said on Thursday they would work together to develop automated driving and driver assistance systems, the latest co-operation for the historically fierce rivals.

The two manufacturers have sealed a long-term, strategic co-operation to make nextlevel technologies widely available by around 2025.

Munich-based BMW and Stuttgart’s Daimler plan first to focus on so-called level three and four systems on an internationally recognised scale for automated driving.

They will stop short of level five – which would see the onboard computer take over completely from the human driver under all circumstances.

Rather, the hoped-for technology will at first offer driving and parking assistance and limited autonomy on motorways.

“Instead of individual, stand-alone solutions, we want to develop a reliable overall system,” Daimler board member Ola Kallenius said.

The firms would discuss the possibility of extending their collaboration to cover higher levels of automation, both on highways and in urban areas, they said.

Other technology companies and automotive manufacturers could be invited aboard in future, the companies said.

The announcement marks the latest co-operation between BMW and Daimler, which have otherwise been locked for years in a race for dominance of the global highend car market. – AFP