Delphi Automotive said it plans to acquire Boston-based autonomous vehicle software supplier NuTonomy in a deal that could be valued at $450 million.
The acquisition, which is expected to close before the end of this year, will nearly double Delphi’s 100-plus automated driving team with NuTonomy’s 100 employees, including 70 engineers and scientists.
NuTonomy counts Lyft, as firms it already does business with.
Glen De Vos, chief technology officer for Delphi, said the acquisition of NuTonomy allows Delphi access to the commercial truck market.
“We think this is the tip of the spear for automated driving,” De Vos said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters. “This dramatically accelerates our penetration in this marketplace.”
Upon completion of the transaction, Delphi will have 60 autonomous-driving cars testing on roads in three continents.
