Auto tech firm Veoneer teams up with Qualcomm on driver software

Veoneer will cooperate with Qualcomm Technologies on developing a software and chip platform for driver-assistance systems, the auto technology firm said on Thursday, sending its shares sharply higher.

The Swedish maker of vision systems, radar and software for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) said it had signed a non-binding letter of intent with the US firm and expected to finalise a definitive agreement in the second half of this year.

Veoneer's software development strategy, increasingly important with the auto industry in the midst of a rapid transformational shift, has been under scrutiny since it ended its Zenuity software joint venture with Volvo Cars in April.

"This is a significant event for Veoneer which we are very happy to announce,", Carlson told Reuters, adding that he expected the integrated software and system-on-a-chip platform would generate major interest from customers.

Shares in Veoneer were up 17.3% 1353 GMT. They are still down 18% so far this year.

Veoneer, which competes with companies such as Aptiv , Bosch, Continental and Intel's Mobileye, has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic as the car industry has seen production halted in many markets by widespread lockdowns.

Veoneer said in a statement it expected the integrated platform developed with Qualcomm to be available through automotive Tier 1 suppliers or directly to original equipment manufacturers (OEM) for 2024 vehicle production.

"This relationship not only strengthens our product portfolio, but also broadens our go-to-market position and opportunities, while giving customers more ways to access world-leading technology," Carlson said in a statement.

The company, which supplies carmakers such as Daimler, and Honda, said last month it expected sales this year to outpace light-vehicle production.

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