21 Jan 22
News

Mercedes to integrate Luminar lidar technology into future vehicles

Austin Russell and Markus Schafer.

Mercedes-Benz and Luminar have announced a partnership, focusing on developing future automated technologies and integrating Luminar’s technology into Mercedes’ future passenger cars. 

Mercedes also will acquire around 1.5 million shares in Luminar. The German automaker and lidar technology provider startup will share data on development and production to improve automated driving technology and safety. 

Details about the specific models that will use the Luminar Iris lidar and when have not been disclosed.

Better safety 

Luminar CEO Austin Russell calls the partnership “a landmark moment that will demonstrate how substantially increased safety and autonomous driving functions on consumer vehicles are going from sci-fi to mainstream.” 

Russells says the technology offers better safety through automatic emergency braking and collision avoidance systems. 

Mercedes’ chief technology officer for development and procurement, Markus Schäfer, described the partnership as “the perfect addition to our existing roster of first-class cooperations with leading and cutting-edge tech companies.”

Luminar had made supply deals with Volvo, Daimler trucks, and SAIC to provide lidar technology. 

Photo: Austin Russell (left), CEO and Founder of Luminar, together with Markus Schäfer (right), Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, Chief Technology Officer responsible for Development and Procurement.

Authored by: Mufit Yilmaz Gokmen