Nexteer Automotive in Auburn Hills has invested in Tactile Mobility, an automotive tactile virtual sensing and data company based in Israel. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Tactile’s software collects data using a vehicle’s built in, nonvisual sensors including wheel speed, wheel angle, rotations per minute, paddles position, and gear position. From there, the data is analyzed to yield actionable insights in real-time.
Overall, the insights provide a clear-cut, accurate description and analysis of vehicles and roads.
“Nexteer’s collaboration with Tactile Mobility is a perfect complement to our existing global software business model and focus on motion control software,” says Robin Milavec, senior vice president, executive board director, chief technology officer, and chief strategy officer of Nexteer Automotive.
“We are looking forward to building out even more of our software offerings that maximize over-the-air updates and connectivity for even safer, more reliable driving. Software plays an important, central role in the automotive industry and especially in steering features and a driver’s connection to the road.”
Steering plays a unique role in giving a driver a feel of the road, allowing drivers to get a sense of road conditions. Nexteer already works with software-tuning for steering feel and expects to elevate its expertise via Tactile Mobility’s real-time data feeds on vehicle environments.
“Having the support and vote of confidence from Nexteer is sure to strengthen our position in the market, and we couldn’t be more delighted,” says Eitan Grosbard, vice president of business development at Tactile Mobility. “We are seeing a burgeoning demand for our unique tactile sensing technology as well as our data which offers a true to life picture of the state of our road and mobility ecosystem in real-time. We will continue to harness the potential of that data with our partners – be they cities, municipalities, insurers, OEMs or Tier-1 suppliers.”
Nexteer has 27 manufacturing plants, four technical and software centers, and 13 customer service centers throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its customers include BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co., PSA Groupe, Toyota, and VW.
Tactile was founded in 2012 and is working with OEMs, road authorities, and municipalities. It has a presence in California, Europe, and Asia.
