Author: Eric Walz
Applied Intuition Inc., a company founded in 2016 that develops software simulation tools to accelerate the commercialization and production of autonomous vehicles, announced $ 175 million in a new round of D-Series funding co-led by the entrepreneur and investor Elad Gil, and venture capital firms. and the management of Coatue.
Existing investors Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst and Lux Capital also made significant contributions to the round.
The latest funding follows a $ 125 million funding round announced in October 2020. Since 2018, Applied Intuition has raised a total of $ 350 million from investors, bringing its valuation to $ 3.6 billion.
Applied Intuition offers a comprehensive suite of simulation tools for automotive manufacturers and developers. The company works with most of the world’s ten largest automakers, including Toyota and Volkswagen.
Applied Intuition simulation products allow developers of autonomous driving technologies to safely test their systems in virtual environments before deploying them in the real world in vehicles.
The company offers a simple user interface-based workflow to create scenarios for autonomous vehicles to deal with in the real world, including the behaviors of vehicles, pedestrians and other road users, including traffic models. intelligent. It ensures that autonomous vehicles will be able to handle complex scenarios such as intersections crowded with pedestrians and vehicles before being deployed in the real world.
Applied Intuition’s simulation technology also allows automakers to calibrate the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) control system for peak performance in different vehicle configurations in a virtual world before being added to the systems. production vehicles.
The technology is helping engineers better train their autonomous driving algorithms using real-world driving data before commercial deployment.
“The simulation-driven approach allows businesses to grow faster and more safely without the risks associated with driving on the road,” Qasar Younis, Founder and CEO of Applied Intuition, told the consulting firm in startup. Combient Foundry Last year. “You can’t just go out into the real world and test your audiovisual performance if an animal suddenly runs down a street.” Younis said. “This is what simulation allows you to do, a suitable substitute for real world testing in certain situations.”
This realistic environment created by Applied Intuition’s simulation tools allows for safe testing of stand-alone technology prior to commercial deployment. (Photo: Applied Intuition Inc.)
Applied Intuition says its rapid growth recently was the result of the massive investments that automakers are making in the development of autonomous vehicles (AV) around the world, as well as the use of autonomous vehicles in other industries such as the logistics and warehousing.
Before deploying autonomous driving systems in the real world, companies must be able to test their software with an almost endless amount of events that a vehicle may encounter in the real world, as well as handle massive volumes of data generated. Companies must also be able to demonstrate the security of their system to regulators prior to deployment.
Also this week, Torc Robotics, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, announced a strategic multi-year collaboration with Applied Intuition to test its autonomous trucks in virtual environments to safely deploy and market its autonomous trucks.
Torc Robotics uses simulation technology from Applied Intuition to develop Level 4 autonomous systems for long-haul trucking in the United States. Autonomous Level 4 trucks are capable of performing driving functions under specified operating conditions without human intervention.
Applied Intuition is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices in Detroit, Los Angeles, Munich, Tokyo, and Seoul. The company’s team includes range, software and automotive experts from around the world.
The company also announced this week an advisory board of experienced auto industry executives, including Rick Wagoner, former chairman and CEO of General Motors, and Dieter Zetsche, former chairman of the board of Daimler AG and chief executive of Mercedes- Benz.
Board members will provide strategic advice to Applied Intuition as it continues to forge closer relationships with automakers.
