This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/02/business/international/bmw-tesla-self-driving-car-mobileye-intel.html

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
BMW Announces Self-Driving Car a Day After a Tesla Fatality Is Confirmed BMW Announces Self-Driving Car a Day After a Tesla Fatality Is Confirmed
(about 7 hours later)
FRANKFURT — Undeterred by a fatal accident involving a self-driving Tesla car, the German automaker BMW announced on Friday that it would begin mass-producing a car capable of operating itself in 2021.FRANKFURT — Undeterred by a fatal accident involving a self-driving Tesla car, the German automaker BMW announced on Friday that it would begin mass-producing a car capable of operating itself in 2021.
BMW will produce the car in cooperation with Mobileye, an Israeli company that supplies cameras and other sensors for self-driving cars. The semiconductor maker Intel will also provide technology for the vehicle, to be called the iNext.BMW will produce the car in cooperation with Mobileye, an Israeli company that supplies cameras and other sensors for self-driving cars. The semiconductor maker Intel will also provide technology for the vehicle, to be called the iNext.
A day earlier, Tesla disclosed that an Ohio man was killed in Williston, Fla., in May while his Model S electric sedan was in self-driving mode. The car failed to brake when a tractor-trailer made a left turn in front of it, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, based on preliminary information.A day earlier, Tesla disclosed that an Ohio man was killed in Williston, Fla., in May while his Model S electric sedan was in self-driving mode. The car failed to brake when a tractor-trailer made a left turn in front of it, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, based on preliminary information.
It is the first known fatal accident involving a vehicle driving itself using sophisticated computer software, sensors, cameras and radar. The Florida Highway Patrol identified the driver who was killed as Joshua Brown, 40, of Canton, Ohio.It is the first known fatal accident involving a vehicle driving itself using sophisticated computer software, sensors, cameras and radar. The Florida Highway Patrol identified the driver who was killed as Joshua Brown, 40, of Canton, Ohio.
The accident could undercut one of the main arguments in favor of self-driving cars. Proponents say that cars operated by computers will be safer than cars driven by people, who can be irrational, incompetent or inebriated.The accident could undercut one of the main arguments in favor of self-driving cars. Proponents say that cars operated by computers will be safer than cars driven by people, who can be irrational, incompetent or inebriated.
The death of Mr. Brown, a Navy veteran, could also push back predictions of when self-driving cars will become commonplace. The Renault-Nissan alliance has promised to have 10 models on the road by 2020 that will have autonomous driving abilities, though they will not necessarily be able to drive themselves all the time.The death of Mr. Brown, a Navy veteran, could also push back predictions of when self-driving cars will become commonplace. The Renault-Nissan alliance has promised to have 10 models on the road by 2020 that will have autonomous driving abilities, though they will not necessarily be able to drive themselves all the time.
Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of Fiat Chrysler, said in May that self-driving cars were about five years away.Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of Fiat Chrysler, said in May that self-driving cars were about five years away.
Harald Krüger, the chief executive of BMW, acknowledged the fatal crash involving Tesla’s autopilot feature, saying it was “really very sad.” He also said BMW would need “the next few years” to perfect its autonomous driving system.Harald Krüger, the chief executive of BMW, acknowledged the fatal crash involving Tesla’s autopilot feature, saying it was “really very sad.” He also said BMW would need “the next few years” to perfect its autonomous driving system.
“Today, the technologies are not ready for serious production,” he said.“Today, the technologies are not ready for serious production,” he said.
Mobileye’s chairman and co-founder, Amnon Shashua, also suggested that self-driving technology was close but not ready for use unless human drivers remained engaged. Automakers and technology companies still need to do enormous amounts of “validation and simulations” in artificial, closed testing environments to be certain the technology is safe, he said. Amnon Shashua, Mobileye’s chairman and co-founder, also suggested that self-driving technology was close but not ready for use unless human drivers remained engaged. Automakers and technology companies still need to do enormous amounts of “validation and simulations” in artificial, closed testing environments to be certain the technology is safe, he said.
“I think it is very important, especially given this accident and what we hear in the news, that companies are very transparent about the limitations of the system,” Mr. Shashua said. “It’s not enough to tell the driver you have to be alert. You need to tell the driver why you need to be alert.”“I think it is very important, especially given this accident and what we hear in the news, that companies are very transparent about the limitations of the system,” Mr. Shashua said. “It’s not enough to tell the driver you have to be alert. You need to tell the driver why you need to be alert.”
He added that the BMW car that Mobileye was working on would be capable of piloting itself on highways, but not necessarily in more complex urban settings.He added that the BMW car that Mobileye was working on would be capable of piloting itself on highways, but not necessarily in more complex urban settings.
According to the Tesla website, the company uses Mobileye components but developed the self-driving system in the Model S itself. According to the Tesla website, the company uses Mobileye components, but developed the self-driving system in the Model S itself.
BMW has cast itself as a pioneer in new technologies and an aggressive defender of its turf against encroachment by technology companies like Google and Apple.BMW has cast itself as a pioneer in new technologies and an aggressive defender of its turf against encroachment by technology companies like Google and Apple.
The German company has prototypes of self-driving cars, and it produces a battery-powered car called the i3. Despite the i3’s use of cutting-edge technologies like lightweight carbon-fiber bodies, the car has not generated as much excitement as Tesla models.The German company has prototypes of self-driving cars, and it produces a battery-powered car called the i3. Despite the i3’s use of cutting-edge technologies like lightweight carbon-fiber bodies, the car has not generated as much excitement as Tesla models.
Another German carmaker, Volkswagen, already has a partnership with Mobileye, which it announced in January. Mobileye, based in Jerusalem, provides sensors for self-driving cars as well as software that helps the vehicles to follow roads and terrain, read signs and detect hazards.Another German carmaker, Volkswagen, already has a partnership with Mobileye, which it announced in January. Mobileye, based in Jerusalem, provides sensors for self-driving cars as well as software that helps the vehicles to follow roads and terrain, read signs and detect hazards.
Major carmakers are watching warily as Silicon Valley companies circle the auto industry. Google has invested heavily in self-driving technology, and Apple has assembled a team that is working in secret on car-related projects. There has been speculation Apple might eventually produce a vehicle.Major carmakers are watching warily as Silicon Valley companies circle the auto industry. Google has invested heavily in self-driving technology, and Apple has assembled a team that is working in secret on car-related projects. There has been speculation Apple might eventually produce a vehicle.
Both Google and Apple have been encroaching on car dashboards with technology that allows people to connect their mobile phones to interior display screens.Both Google and Apple have been encroaching on car dashboards with technology that allows people to connect their mobile phones to interior display screens.