Military applications of autonomous automotive technology under investigation
Fresh Take:
German Car Makers Possibly Teaming Up with Defense Firms on Autonomous Vehicles
It's being tossed around that German automakers might be looking into partnerships with defense companies for self-driving tech. The German newspaper, "Handelsblatt," dropped this hot scoop, quoting insiders from both the car and defense industries.
But hang on a sec, let's add some context here. German defense firms, like Rheinmetall, have been partnering with European defense companies to advance military vehicles, focusing on things like automation and remote-controlled turrets. Rheinmetall has been busy with projects like optimizing the Leopard 2E tank and Boxer infantry fighting vehicles, incorporating unmanned turrets. Isn't that neat?
It's also worth mentioning that these defense companies have a history of working together, leveraging advanced technologies, and collaborating on European defense projects. Germany, too, is putting some serious dough into defense modernization, investing in cutting-edge vehicles that may very well incorporate next-gen technology, such as automation.
Now, the catch is that the German car manufacturers we're talking about aren't the same as these defense firms. They're big in the civilian realm when it comes to self-driving tech, but there's no solid evidence of a partnership with defense firms, specifically for defense-grade self-driving tech. So, while the defense firms are busy advancing military tech, it's unclear if the car manufacturers are jumping on board for defense-related autonomous vehicles. Just food for thought!
The partnership between German automotive and defense industries could potentially expand beyond civilian self-driving tech, venturing into the realm of autonomous vehicles in the finance sector, given the significant investments being made in defense modernization. This collaboration could potentially impact both the transportation and finance industries, bringing autonomous vehicles to new dynamics.
