A consortium of German automakers (AUDI, BMW and Daimler AG/Mercedes-Benz) will acquire the Nokia mapping and location services business HERE, each own an equal stake in the company.
HERE precise digital mapping is needed for new assistance systems and fully autonomous driving. The shared raw data will be used in the German automakers products.
Sean Fernback, president of Nokia HERE said, “It’s a fantastic thing for our customers and our employees. It’s going to be a great future. HERE will remain independent from the Consortium. We will be very well capitalized and set up to deliver our goals. We’re moving toward highly automated driving. There’s a lot of work to get there. It makes us a stronger company.”
The data gained will be processed in compliance with strict data-protection rules.
The news release notes that the the social benefits of swarm intelligence are enormous for real-time alerts for extreme weather, traffic jams and accidents. Data can also be used at stop lights. Green phases of stoplights could navigate vehicles through an urban area on a “green wave” with the appropriate engine performance and minimized fuel consumption.
Although, HERE already produces extremely precise static maps, they will be verified and continually updated with a constant flow of data from vehicles’ surroundings.
Recently HERE announced that they are working on HD maps for highly automated driving.
The management of HERE will continue to be independent and open to all customers. The consortium will not interfere into operational business.
Subject to the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities, the transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016.