Mercedes-Benz has announced a strategic partnership with the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), an initiative by the Ontario government aimed at driving innovation in the automotive and mobility sectors.
With a particular focus on software, AI, vehicle components, and electric drive systems, Mercedes-Benz and OVIN aim to foster innovation through the OVIN Incubators Program.
As part of this initiative, the OEM will provide its expertise and use cases to support selected startups, helping them develop promising projects. These startups will also gain access to the international Mercedes-Benz STARTUP AUTOBAHN network, enhancing their potential for growth and success.
In addition to the incubators programme, the vehicle maker plans to initiate a research collaboration with the University of Waterloo, focusing on neuromorphic computing for automated driving, a field with the potential to significantly improve AI-based vehicle systems.
Neuromorphic computing is a field of computing that seeks to mimic the structure and functionality of the human brain using hardware and software designed to emulate the brain's neural networks. The term 'neuromorphic' refers to systems that are designed to work like biological neural systems, such as those found in the human brain, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of processing tasks that involve learning, pattern recognition, decision making, and sensory processing.
In traditional computing, tasks are handled sequentially, with data moving through central processing units (CPUs) and memory systems. Neuromorphic computing, on the other hand, is inspired by the parallel and distributed processing of the brain, where neurons and synapses work together to process information. This approach enables systems to perform tasks more quickly, with lower energy consumption, and more efficiently than conventional computers, particularly for tasks that require real-time learning or complex decision-making, such as image recognition, speech processing, and autonomous driving.
Markus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer at Mercedes-Benz, noted that the collaboration would enable Mercedes-Benz to tap into Ontario’s renowned talent pool and accelerate the development of future products through new technologies.
Premier Doug Ford of Ontario highlighted its potential to boost Ontario’s automotive and mobility sectors, create jobs, and position the province as a leader in electric vehicle technologies. Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN, added that the incubators programme would play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of innovators by connecting research, development, and commercialisation.
Supporting Startups and Innovation in Ontario
In its pilot phase, the OVIN Incubators programme will scout for startups in Ontario that align with Mercedes-Benz's research fields. The goal is to establish a pipeline of companies capable of bringing new technologies to market. Mercedes-Benz and OVIN will work together to evaluate these startups, selecting those with the most potential to advance to proof-of-concept stages based on real-world use cases.
This partnership is part of Mercedes-Benz's ongoing commitment to open innovation, which brings in ideas and technologies from a variety of external sources to complement its in-house research and development efforts. The programme also builds on the company’s global STARTUP AUTOBAHN platform, which has helped integrate innovative technologies into Mercedes-Benz vehicles worldwide.
Collaboration With Waterloo University
In addition to the startup initiative, Mercedes-Benz is partnering with the University of Waterloo to explore neuromorphic computing. This collaboration, led by Professor Chris Eliasmith, will focus on developing algorithms for advanced driver assistance systems. Neuromorphic computing has the potential to significantly reduce the energy required for autonomous driving systems while enhancing vehicle safety features, such as traffic sign detection and lane recognition.
Mary Wells, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo, reiterated the importance of industry partnerships in advancing research and providing students with opportunities to work on real-world applications.
This research partnership complements Mercedes-Benz's broader efforts in neuromorphic computing, which include collaborations with other universities and participation in projects such as NAOMI4Radar in Germany, aimed at optimizing radar data processing for automated driving systems.
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