Delphi partners with laser-based sensor maker Innoviz to improve vehicle safety

Delphi Automotive Plc said on Friday it has partnered with laser-based sensor maker Innoviz Technologies to improve vehicle safety for self-driving cars, after making a minority investment in the Israel-based company.

Innoviz’s LiDAR technology allows self-driving cars to identify objects at far distances, allowing them to travel at high speeds safely, Delphi said. Many self-driving experts regard LiDAR as a crucial component, along with other sensors such as cameras and radars.

Automakers have intensified the race to build self-driving cars and are investing in sensors that help these cars navigate on roads with poor or faded lane markings and potholes.

Delphi, which is focusing on self-driving vehicles and advanced safety systems , has been benefiting from continued automaker interest. Founded in January 2016, Innoviz is backed by investors including Vertex Venture Capital and Magma Venture Partners.

Delphi Automotive PLC partnered with Paris-based Transdev Group, a public transport service controlled by the French government , to develop an automated on-demand shuttle service in Europe, the companie. Delphi and Transdev test driverless vehicles in Normandy and outside Paris, in advance of building a commercial service, starting in 2019, that could be deployed in other markets, including North America.

Delphi is contributing a self-driving system that it has been developing with Israeli mapping and vision expert Mobileye NV, which is being acquired by U.S. chipmaker Intel Corp.