Stellantis Invests in SteerLight to Boost Autonomous Driving Tech
In a strategic move to enhance its autonomous driving capabilities, European automotive giant Stellantis has acquired a stake in the innovative optical radar start-up SteerLight. This investment, channeled through Stellantis Ventures, underscores the company’s commitment to advancing its electric vehicle (EV) technology and autonomous systems, although the exact financial details remain under wraps.
Stellantis, the powerhouse behind well-known brands such as Fiat, Peugeot, and Citroen, is actively seeking to expand its lidar technology portfolio. Lidar, which stands for light detection and ranging, is a critical component in the development of autonomous vehicles, providing precise environmental mapping that is essential for safe navigation.
Stellantis has highlighted the robust nature of SteerLight’s system, which boasts no moving parts, thus offering enhanced durability and design flexibility for vehicle engineers. This advancement is seen as a significant leap over traditional lidar technologies that often grapple with bulkiness and elevated costs.
The investment in SteerLight is not just a solo venture for Stellantis. The start-up has also attracted funds from other investors, including the Quantonation fund and the Italian venture fund Liftt, signaling a growing confidence in SteerLight’s potential to revolutionize the automotive industry’s approach to autonomous driving technology.
With this strategic stake acquisition, Stellantis is poised to accelerate the integration of cutting-edge lidar sensors into its future fleet of electric vehicles, marking another milestone in the company’s journey towards a self-driving future.
