By Chuck Martin

BMW Group and Daimler AG have agreed to work together to develop next-generation technologies for automated driving.

The German carmakers signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop technologies for driver assistance systems, automated driving on highways and parking features.

“Long-term partnerships within a flexible, scalable, non-exclusive platform are fundamental to advancing the industrialization of autonomous driving,” stated Klaus Fröhlich, member of the board of management of BMW AG, Development. “Combining the key expertise of our two companies will boost our innovative strength and speed up the spread of this technology.”

The two partners plan to explore the possibility of extending the collaboration to cover higher levels of automation, both on highways and in urban areas, according to the announcement by BMW.

BMW and Daimler last week agreed to put more than $1 billion into a joint venture to develop ride-sharing, parking and charging services.