DETROIT--July 11, 2013; --Elektrobit (EB) and Daimler are strengthening their partnership for developing Daimler's embedded driver assistance software.
“This new concept will simplify the management of the rising number of versions and variants”
This partnership enables EB to take over responsibility for driver assistance software engineering, allowing Daimler to focus on its core business in delivering innovative vehicles, such as the new E- and S-Class. With EB assuming the role of direct software supplier for driver assistance at Daimler, a new model is being introduced for collaboration with carmakers.
"This close cooperation between Daimler and EB, with EB taking the role of a direct software provider for driver assistance, is unseen before in the automotive industry," said Alexander Kocher, president of EB's Automotive Business Segment. "It underlines the growing importance of software as a key differentiation factor also in the driver assistance area, for both luxury and mass market vehicles and also mirrors the increasing separation of software from hardware components. Together with Daimler we are now developing strategies to meet the growing complexity of driver assistance."
Joachim Missel, senior manager - Camera-Systems and Parking-Assistance Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler commented, "During the last two and a half years, we have delivered more than 230 version releases with 75 series approvals with EB -- and all these releases have been on time. Thanks to EB's expertise in developing automotive-grade software for driver assistance, we are able to deliver vehicles with a maximum of safety, quality and performance."
Driver assistance systems produced by Daimler seek to ensure a maximum level of safety for drivers and passengers.
They help to prevent drivers from falling asleep, detect pedestrians and initiate autonomous braking in case of emergency and take corrective measures automatically as soon as the vehicle has left its lane.
EB has long supported Daimler in the development of most of these features. The support comprised function and implementation models, software implementation, module tests and integration tests for more than 200 software modules and more than 25 car series.
To meet the task of managing growing complexity, EB has developed a new software factory concept for the driver assistance area.
"This new concept will simplify the management of the rising number of versions and variants," said Markus Schupfner, vice president - Infotainment Solutions at EB's Automotive Business Segment. "It will shorten development time, reduce costs and improve quality and set the trend for a future increase of efficiency in driver assistance as well as in other areas of automotive software engineering."
