Samsung granted permission to test Self-Driving cars in California

Samsung Granted Permission to test Self-Driving cars in California

     Samsung is the latest technology company to receive a permit to test self-driving cars in California, but does not plan on launching its own automotive anytime soon.

     The South  Korean electronics giant will instead work on 'control systems' for self-driving vehicles. It has already conducted tests in its own country with Hyundai cars.

     Samsung has a major investment in Renault which could be used as a partner in the self-driving development, although it has not publically tested its technology in a Renault vehicle.

     The company acquired vehicle audio firm Harman for $8 billion last year, seen as a power move to enter the in-car entertainment and self-driving market.

     Even though Samsung has not made as large a footprint in the self-driving market like Google, Baidu and Uber, it has the funds and talent available to make it a prominent player.

     That said, the Galaxy S8 maker may find difficult to attract partners when rivals are showing millions of autonomous miles driven or advanced AI, two things Samsung hasn't shown.

     Samsung's largest rival in the mobile industry, Apple, has also kept its self-driving developments quiet. It was only a few months ago that the iPhone maker received the permit in California, and has only just started testing three Lexus car on public roads.

     Apple is reportedly planning to launch a Shuttle service for employees, going from Palo Alto to Infinite Loop headquarters. Samsung has not said it will launch a similar service, or what cars it intend to test in California.

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