GM Invests $300M in China’s Momenta to Advance AV Driving

General Motors Co. in Detroit will invest $300 million in Momenta, a leading autonomous driving technology company, to accelerate the development of next-generation self-driving technologies for future GM vehicles in China.
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a momenta autonomous vehicle concept
General Motors is investing $300 million in China’s Momenta to accelerate the development of next-generation self-driving technologies for future GM vehicles in China. // Courtesy of Momenta

General Motors Co. in Detroit will invest $300 million in Momenta, a leading autonomous driving technology company, to accelerate the development of next-generation self-driving technologies for future GM vehicles in China.

Momenta has developed a scalable path toward full autonomous driving by combining a data-driven approach with iterating algorithms — referred to as its “flywheel approach” — as well as a “two-leg” product strategy focusing on both Mpilot, its mass-production-ready highly autonomous driving solutions, and MSD (Momenta Self-Driving), its driving solution targeting full autonomy.

“Customers in China are embracing electrification and advanced self-driving technology faster than anywhere else in the world, and the agreement between GM and Momenta will accelerate our deployment of next-generation solutions tailor-made for our consumers in China,” says Julian Blissett, executive vice president of General Motors and president of GM China.

In China, GM is expanding its design and engineering facilities for EV and AV development, increasing its capability to deliver over-the-air software updates via GM’s Vehicle Intelligent Platform and 5G connectivity services, and preparing to roll out the company’s global Ultium Platform.

In addition, GM is collaborating with companies around the world such as Momenta to build its technology capabilities and support diverse consumer choices across the globe. Launch timing for the next-generation advanced self-driving technologies that will be deployed in China and other details will be shared closer to production.

With leading autonomous driving technology and solutions, Momenta’s vision is, in the next 10 years, to save one million lives, save 100 percent driving time, and double the logistics and mobility efficiency.

Momenta has pioneered a unique scalable path toward full autonomous driving by combining a data-driven approach to quickly iterate algorithms — its flywheel approach — as well as a “two-leg” product strategy focusing on both mass-production-ready highly autonomous driving solutions and a driving solution targeting full autonomy.

“Momenta is committed to developing breakthrough artificial intelligence solutions to push beyond the frontier of possibilities today and significantly improve personal mobility experiences,” says Xudong Cao, CEO of Momenta. “Together with GM, we will jointly invest in autonomous vehicle technologies to enhance driving safety, convenience and efficiency.”

GM is investing in a comprehensive and highly integrated plan to lead the transformation to a more sustainable future. In June, GM announced it is investing $35 billion in engineering and capital in EV and AV technology from 2020 to 2025.

For more information on Momenta, visit here.