Valeo, a prominent automotive supplier, and Seeing Machines, a leader in AI-powered operator monitoring systems, have announced a strategic partnership to strengthen their presence in the driver and occupant monitoring systems (OMS) market. This collaboration marks a significant step forward for both companies as they aim to leverage each other’s expertise to advance their technologies and expand their market reach.
Under the terms of this agreement, Valeo will transfer its driver monitoring perception software activities to Seeing Machines. This transfer includes the acquisition of Asaphus, a German startup that was previously owned by Valeo. Seeing Machines will now manage these activities, positioning itself as a leading player in perception software for interior monitoring systems.
The partnership allows Valeo to integrate Seeing Machines’ cutting-edge interior monitoring perception software into its own driver and occupant monitoring systems, enhancing the hardware and software architecture of its OMS offerings. This integration aims to create more sophisticated and reliable monitoring solutions, ensuring enhanced safety and convenience for drivers and passengers.
Seeing Machines, on the other hand, will benefit from Valeo’s established infrastructure in Europe. By leveraging Valeo’s resources and market presence, Seeing Machines aims to strengthen its foothold in the European market. The acquisition of the Berlin-based team from Asaphus will enable Seeing Machines to provide advanced monitoring solutions tailored to the specific needs of the European market.
Marc Vrecko, CEO of Valeo’s Comfort & Driving Assistance Systems Division, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration. “We are thrilled to partner with Seeing Machines,” Vrecko said. “Over the past five years, we have successfully grown Asaphus, developing their AI perception technologies and establishing a strong position in interior monitoring systems. By combining our expertise with Seeing Machines, we will benefit from their best-in-class perception software, which will be integrated into our hardware and software architecture for driver and occupant monitoring systems.”
The acquisition of Asaphus’s capabilities brings Seeing Machines unique intellectual property, data, and a specialized development team skilled in machine learning and AI for driving and sensing features. This acquisition is expected to accelerate the development of advanced monitoring solutions, reinforcing Seeing Machines’ position as a leader in the interior sensing market.
Paul McGlone, CEO of Seeing Machines, highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership. “This collaboration with Valeo aligns perfectly with our culture of innovation,” McGlone stated. “Working together, we will continue to lead the interior sensing market by combining our highly specialized skills with Valeo’s world-leading automotive technology. This partnership will enable us to deliver advanced driver and occupant monitoring solutions to a broader range of automotive customers globally.”
The timing of this collaboration is particularly significant as new regulations mandating driver monitoring systems across the European Union come into effect. With the market for enhanced safety and convenience solutions rapidly expanding, the collaboration between Valeo and Seeing Machines is poised to meet the increasing demand. McGlone added, “Thanks to our proven, class-leading technology, we are well-positioned to solidify our industry leadership. Our partnership with Valeo will support our customers in successfully bringing their programs to production, ensuring that we continue to lead the way in driver and occupant monitoring systems.
