Luxoft Inks Deal for ADAS Developer Objective Software

IT services specialist Luxoft is acquiring German software developer Objective Software, a specialist in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for autonomous vehicles.

Objective offers autonomous drive services for OEMs and automotive suppliers, developing high-accuracy positioning software and smart city applications.

The deal gives Luxoft, based in Zug, Switzerland, access to a range of IP-based software platforms developed by Objective.

These include a Lidar-based automated parking scanner, cloud-based autonomous car sharing and automotive cybersecurity software.

The company already offers navigation and ADAS software delivery and planning, as well as services for powertrain, steering and in-vehicle networking domains.

This software also helps OEMs and infotainment manufacturers deliver media software services for integration with smartphones and tablets, as well as programming for automotive Telematics Control Unit (TCU) devices.

In addition, Luxoft offers developers the ability to address timing issues in software code and safety architectures, and the company offers a range of expertise from remote diagnostics to onboard services.

In an Aug. 7 release, Luxoft notes that the deal will help the company’s ADAS, autonomous drive and connected mobility products and services, as well as enhance the company’s design, development and implementation of the software.

“Both Luxoft’s culture and like-minded approach to building advanced automotive solutions make for a well matched acquisition,” Clemens Dannheim, the co-CEO of Objective, wrote in a statement. “With advanced connected mobility services and autonomous cars already on our streets, we wanted to take this opportunity to scale our business and effect the changes revolutionizing the automotive industry on a global scale.”

A company release also noted the acquisition further strengthens the Luxoft’s presence in Munich, where an expansion of software development services for highly automated driving is planned.

“Objective has established a strong footprint with major German OEMs, and we believe these synergies will allow us to deliver more strategic value to our clients,” Dmitry Loschinin, president and CEO of Luxoft, wrote in a statement.

Earlier this month, Luxoft partnered with automaker giant Daimler to develop an advanced software platform for the infotainment system installed in the latest Mercedes A-class cars.

The cars’ infotainment operates with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) platform allowing greater interaction with drivers and passengers.

The technology connects MBUX to the underlying features in the infotainment system and enables the integration of AI and AR into the in-car experience.

Luxoft has also partnered with Daimler subsidiary MBition to open a research and development Center in Berlin to spur innovation and deliver software services.

The new center is based in Berlin’s co-working office, Mindspace, and focuses on mobility services and digital vehicle software. Developers hope to shape how drivers and passengers interact with the autonomous cars of the future.

At the new hub, Luxoft has committed more than 100 engineering, software, hardware and design specialists working to help develop state-of-the-art software for next-generation vehicles.

The company has also bolstered its digital research, strategy and design capabilities through the acquisition in June of Seattle-based design and innovation firm Smashing Ideas.

Luxoft purchased Smashing Ideas from trade-book publisher Penguin Random House, which has owned the company since 2011.

— Nathan Eddy is a filmmaker and freelance journalist based in Berlin. Follow him on Twitter.