Toyota's auto-brake system relies on the pairing of laser and artificial vision sensors.
The competition among automakers and suppliers to produce a viable autonomous vehicle is leading companies down a variety of paths, including some automakers going it alone while others seek to leverage relationships with other companies.
Toyota and one of its largest and most important suppliers, Denso Corp., are preparing to take a bigger stake in company that furnishes the equipment needed to build autonomous vehicles.
In announcing that Denso will have a bigger stake in Fujitsu Ten, a supplier of advanced electronic components, all three companies noted that interplay between the driver and vehicle is about to undergo a dramatic change.
“Against this backdrop, Denso has agreed with Fujitsu and Toyota to review specific changes to make Fujitsu Ten a group company within the Denso Group and enhance cooperation between the two companies in developing in-vehicle ECUs, millimeter-wave radar, advanced driver assistance/automated driving technologies and basic electronic technologies, among others,” the announcement said.
As this group announces its plans to work collaboratively to produce its best solution, Tesla remains steadfastly loyal to … Tesla. It announced yesterday a series of improvements to its Autopilot program that CEO Elon Musk were only possible because he kept his company focused on solving problems.
(Tesla upgrades controversial Autopilot system. Click Here for that story.)
It also shows the variety of approaches. Tesla’s aforementioned Autopilot relies on camera-based and radar sensors for its program. Others, like the Toyota/Denso/Fujitsu Ten triad are using those plus LiDAR and other technologies.
Toyota has a more advanced version of automatic emergency braking available that could be part of its autonomous program.
The three partners expect that information and communication technology will become increasingly important in developing next-generation vehicles such connected cars, automated driving.
By continuing as one of Fujitsu Ten’s major shareholder, Toyota expects to increase the Fujitsu Ten’s corporate value, which is coupled with the strengthening of the competitiveness of its products, the automaker said.
(Delphi, Mobileye announced autonomous vehicle partnership. Click Here for the story.)
Fujitsu Ten, formerly Kobe Industries Corp., was established in 1949 following the dissolution of Kawanishi Machine Works.
Since Toyota and Denso took stakes in 1973, Fujitsu has delivered various products and services as a manufacturer of car electronics products including audio and multimedia systems.
Recently Fujitsu Ten has strengthened its vehicle ICT business to create new value, while accelerating collaboration with the Fujitsu Group companies to transform itself from a supplier of standalone products to a system manufacturer that proposes and provides connected in-vehicle information equipment and services.
(For more on Ford’s driverless car plans, Click Here.)
Denso Corp., Fujitsu Limited and Toyota Motor Corp said all three companies will continue to have an ownership stake in Fujitsu Ten. Under the terms of the deal, Denso will raise its stake to 51% from 10%. Toyota will retain its stake at 35% while Fujitsu will reduce its stake to 14%, according to the announcement. The three companies plan to reach a final agreement by the end of fiscal year ending March 31, 2017.