Daimler, Baidu Expand Tech Partnership

Daimler AG and Chinese tech giant Baidu Inc. have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand their development partnership on automated and connected vehicle technologies.

The two companies have been collaborating since 2013. Under the new agreement, Baidu will work with Daimler to test autonomous vehicles in China and on future connectivity projects.

Earlier this month, Daimler became the first foreign-based carmaker to be approved to test Level 4 autonomous cars on public streets in Beijing. The Mercedes-Benz V-Class-based test vehicles include Baidu’s Apollo software platform.

Daimler was one of the first partners to join Baidu’s open-source Apollo consortium, which aims to launch a fully autonomous vehicle in China by 2020. In December, the German carmaker became a member of the group’s steering committee to oversee development issues and help craft rules and regulations related to autonomous vehicles.

Daimler and Baidu also intend to launch a new joint project on vehicle connectivity. The program will further integrate Baidu’s connectivity services into the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system.