With expectations of accelerating the implementation of safety, integrity and reliability, within GNSS for autonomous applications, Hexagon AB announced the acquisition of AutonomouStuff, a leading supplier of integrated autonomous vehicle solutions.

Founded in 2010, US-based AutonomouStuff is pioneering turn-key platforms for autonomous vehicle development, robotics and data intelligence innovation. Its turn-key platforms, which utilize a robust portfolio of technologies, are deployed in pilot programs worldwide – representing more than 2,500 customers in the automotive and technology sectors across Silicon Valley, America, Europe and Asia.

“The acquisition of AutonomouStuff accelerates Hexagon’s ability to move our customers beyond the data impasse of IoT,” said Ola Rollén, Hexagon President and CEO. “We’re particularly interested in technologies that are the most disruptive – those capable of leveraging the vast potential of data being generated by connected things, integrating AI, Edge-Cloud Orchestration, Mobility, and Data Visualization into autonomous connected ecosystems.”

“When combined with our positioning intelligence, mapping and sensing technology leadership, this acquisition creates a nexus of domain expertise that will lead the autonomous mobility industry for years to come.”

Hexagon PI has been an industry leader in GNSS for many years, and the company’s Safety Critical Systems Group has been working on applications for a variety of autonomous X. Hexagon PI has been working closely with AutonomouStuff as an important technology provider, and the two companies share common customers.

Combining efforts will accelerate the development of more comprehensive Autonomous X solutions, positioning PI as the benchmark in the development of autonomy solutions, Hexagon stated.

The merger of the two companies seems like a natural fit, and Hexagon explained in a statement issued to Inside GNSSsome of what the industry should expect to see soon.

“The automotive industry is investing heavily in autonomy and our approach to highly accurate and highly reliable and assured positioning is getting the attention of this industry,” the statement read. “Our products and services are being used in many autonomous vehicle research programs and test fleets AutonomouStuff has been supporting these same programs by providing all of the hardware, software and services required for autonomous development, including complete autonomous test vehicles.”

AutonomouStuff platforms are critical to many autonomous research programs and as these programs move from research phase to production they will require safety and integrity. Hexagon PI has been investing heavily in this for over two years through its Safety Critical Systems development and new ISO standard implementations. Combining the effort of PI and AutonomouStuff can support automotive companies through their research programs and all the way through to serial production. Together the two companies will accelerate the development of more comprehensive Autonomous X solutions, positioning PI as the benchmark in the development of autonomy solutions – something neither company on their own can accomplish, according to Hexagon.

Completion of the transaction (closing) is subject to regulatory approvals, including a voluntary filing to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and other customary conditions which are expected to be satisfied within the coming 90 days. The transaction purchase price will not be publicly disclosed as it’s insignificant relative to Hexagon’s market capitalization, the company said in a press release.