In particular SmartMeUp develops software for processing sensor’s signals, detecting and recognising objects around the vehicle, allowing 3D Environment Building and Object Movement Tracking. This type of software will be a key enabler for autonomous vehicles.

The differentiating feature of SmartMeUp’s software is that it requires low computing power and generates low heat, making it possible to be rolled out on a large scale for embedded automotive applications.

SmartMeUp also focuses on developing software for “Driver Monitoring”, that is included in the NCAP requirements roadmap, expected to be mandatory by 2020. The acquisition will bring into Magneti Marelli a group of high skilled scientists and engineers, with proven capabilities in the field.

Magneti Marelli designs and produces advanced systems and components for the automotive industry. With 85 production units, 15 R&D centres in 20 countries, approximately 43,000 employees and a turnover of 7.9 billion Euro in 2016, the group supplies all the major carmakers in Europe, North and South America and the Asia Pacific region. The business areas include Electronic Systems, Lighting, Powertrain, Suspension and Shock Absorbing Systems, Exhaust Systems, Aftermarket Parts & Services, Plastic Components and Modules, Motorsport.

Magneti Marelli is part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles; however in April the company announced that it would be spinning it off into a seperately listed entity. That process gathered pace early last month with the emergence of details that the assets would be placed in a newly created entity, MM Srl, which would then be moved into a Netherlands registered company listed on the Milan stock exchange.

However this plan was driven by former CEO Sergio Marchionne and it remains now to be seen if the new CEO Mike Manley, installed less than a fortnight ago, continues his predecessor's policy of selling off the 'family jewels' with such gusto.

 “The acquisition of SmartMeUp, combined with the investment in LiDAR expert LeddarTech and the long-established Lighting and Electronics capabilities, strengthens Magneti Marelli’s contribution to autonomous driving development with focus on the sensing and perception components of the architecture” said Pietro Gorlier, CEO of Magneti Marelli.

The first step of the company’s strategy for autonomous driving was the development of the “Smart Corner” concept, which integrates sensors into the vehicle lights, and the investment in solid-state LiDAR expert LeddarTech, for the joint development of LiDAR systems.

Moreover, Magneti Marelli is internally developing automotive grade cameras and electronic control units for sensor fusion.