Panasonic Corp. announced it has acquired all of the outstanding shares of the German software company OpenSynergy GmbH. OpenSynergy, which became a subsidiary of Panasonic on July 22, is a high-tech company specializing in embedded automotive software for cockpit solutions.
Panasonic said it has positioned its automotive business as a high-growth area, and expects the business to contribute in the areas of “comfort,” “safety” and “environment.”
A current cockpit system is controlled by two different systems: multimedia functions, like navigation and audio, and driver support functions like warning signals on head-up display. To integrate such different functions going forward, and provide a better and intuitively easier driving support, system integration needs to be achieved from the operating system level.
OpenSynergy’s software technologies enable multiple different operating systems to be integrated into one system. These technologies make it possible to realize a next-generation cockpit system where multimedia and driver support functions are integrated.
Hirotoshi Uehara, executive officer and director of the Automotive Infotainment Systems Business Division of Panasonic, commented, “Through making OpenSynergy our subsidiary, we will realize a next-generation integrated cockpit system and make a great step toward integrating cockpit system and advanced driver assistance systems with a firm eye on autonomous driving in the future.”
Stefaan Sonck Thiebaut, co-CEO of OpenSynergy, added, “OpenSynergy’s mission has been to bring innovative software solutions to the automotive industry and to enable the development of the next generation of highly integrated vehicle systems, embracing the specific safety and security challenges of the vehicle environment.”
Rolf Morich, also Co-CEO of OpenSynergy, noted, “Under its new ownership, OpenSynergy will keep serving the entire automotive eco-system, Tier 1 suppliers and manufacturers. The synergies with Panasonic will enable us to increase our pace of growth and innovation, providing the best solutions to our customers.”
In addition to the software technology solutions referenced above, OpenSynergy also provides other software such as Bluetooth stack to automakers and Tier 1 suppliers. The company will continue to operate the business as an independent company under Panasonic’s ownership.
