Baidu Battles Google on Robo-Car Derby

Junko Yoshida, EETimes China, Apr. 26, 2017 – TOKYO - Last week's announcement by Chinese Internet behemoth Baidu on Project Apollo - the company's plan to "open up" its autonomous driving platform to others - surprised many auto industry watchers, largely because autonomous car development remains embryonic.

However, given Baidu's heavy R&D investment in artificial intelligence technologies, and the many business deals the company has made in the auto industry, it's understandable that Baidu wants to take control of robo-car software. Accomplishing this objective by opening its platform is both ambitious and, most agree, a smart move.

Phil Magney, founder and principal advisor for Vision Systems Intelligence, described the Baidu plan as "a bit of a moon shot." But China is the right place to try this out, he noted.  "The Chinese OEMs don't have a lot to lose with this and it gives them the technology to jump in quickly." Click here to read more ...

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