Intel to Buy Self-Driving Technology Company

The purchase is due to close by the end of the year means that Intel have now entered the market, with a statement of intent.

Mobileye makes computer vision software that monitors the road for potential collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians. It processes the information gleamed from the car’s sensors and cameras in order to decide where the car should steer.

Combining with Intel means the addition of hardware and data centres that the companies claim will speed the deployment of autonomous technology. This purchase signals that the reality of driverless cars is getting closer, as these huge companies are ensuring they are well positioned in the race for automation.

Safety is still an issue to be resolved, as the ability of the autonomous technology to deal with inclement road conditions is still unknown, or even how to adapt to different local road customs, an issue that is important while there is human and robot driver integration.

Last year, Mobileye parted ways with Tesla, having been previously a supplier. Currently, Intel and Mobileye are working with Delphi and BMW to test cars. 

This is seen as a long term move, as Intel has suffered in the rise of mobile devices leaving to poorer sale of personal computers. The other areas the company has been moving into is developing wearable computers, such as smart watches, and even drones.

Intel Corp. will pay $63.54 for each share of Mobileye N.V., a 34 percent premium to its Friday closing price.

References: PHYS, The Sunday Times