General Motors Acquires German Radar Manufacturer Astyx
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General Motors subsidiary Cruise has recently acquired German radar manufacturer Astyx for an undisclosed sum, according to The Information.
Astyx, which is based in Munich and has a satellite facility in New Mexico, produces high-resolution radar sensors for automotive applications.
This report confirms a previous article that GM Authority published in April, which indicated that General Motors had purchased an unknown technology company that would help bring the Cruise Origin to market. Cruise had previously purchased a different sensor company, Strobe, but The Information‘s report indicates the company experienced delays in bringing products to market and that Cruise still relies on third-party suppliers like Velodyne for sensor technology.
“From time to time we acquire companies to improve our technology and advance our mission to deliver self-driving cars at scale,” Tiffany Testo, a Cruise spokeswoman, said in a recently released statement. “We welcome Astyx and their technology to our extended Cruise family.”
A former Astyx employee that spoke to The Information said the company has “the best radar system on the market right now,” and is one or two years ahead of the competition when it comes to the advancement of its sensors. Cruise also told the publication that it had purchased Astyx products recently and was happy with the quality.
Cruise prototypes
General Motors’ first fully driverless vehicle, the Cruise Origin, debuted back in January. The shuttle will be built at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant and will enable Cruise to launch a fully driverless ride-hailing service at some point in the not-too-distant future. The automaker is aiming to be the first to market with such a robotaxi product and hopes the technology will enable to compete with and beat the likes of Uber and Lyft.
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GM did an exceptional job in its design and build quality of the 2020 C8 Corvette. The key drawback is not offering adaptive cruise control and emergency braking to the platform. The consumer does not benefit from increased safety, lower insurance costs and more enjoyable bumper to bumper or congested freeway driving. For a vehicle build for daily driving this is a key opportunity missed. Drivers can use it or disable it but they should have the option. I hope this acquisition will make a difference. Porsche has had adaptive cruise on the 911 since 2013. It has only improved the sports car experience.
I despise ACC. Annoying to any driver that pays attention
Glad to hear that GM keeps investing in Cruise.
This will make them money in the Future.
Yes, normally they give up when things get too complicated. So, there is still hope.
I’m not saying the Corvette shouldn’t have had ACC, but those things do add cost, so it would have been an option. A car in it’s first model year the last thing you want to do is add internal options like ACC. Rims, wings, seats, brakes, colors are easy. Sensor and wiring harness increase production time and complexity during manufacturing. That’s something that can be added in its second/third model year. Especially when the first buyers are enthusiast. They aren’t driving these things for bumper to bumper traffic.
Throwing more good money after bad, this division has swallowed up so much investment buying third rate companies for no results
My commitment is for 2021. Do not change anything on the current production year.
I do so much want fantastic ventures like SpaceX’s Starship and GM’s Cruise Origin to be hugely successful and beneficial to humankind. I can’t get enough news about these things.
There are rumors the responsible managar Brandon Hermalyn has left Cruise. Not a good start..