German automaker BMW AG has begun testing self-driving vehicles for use on its factory floors, according to a recent article from BloombergBusiness. The automated vehicle project was started earlier this month at BMW’s logistics center in Wackersdorf, Germany, in a move the company hopes will help reduce car costs by 5 percent annually.

Globally, autonomous car technology market is expected to witness a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10 percent by 2035, according to a report available from Research and Markets, suggesting steady growth in this area.

BMW’s robotic trolleys autonomously locate a desired parts container, position under the container and transport it to the packing area. The self-driving trolleys, which are manufactured in-house, are part of a broader incentive to save the automaker several 100 million euros in costs over the coming years and also advance BMW’s self-driving technology for its cars. BMW plans to introduce the automated trolleys to other warehouses following a six-month trial in Wackersdorf.

The global warehouse robotics market is set to grow at a CAGR of 11.3 percent by 2020, as forecast in an industry report. This forecast could be higher if the six-month trial proves successful, says Research and Markets, as it will likely influence other automakers to utilize such technology in their own assembly lines.

By cutting costs and reducing production times, autonomous robotics could greatly benefit the automotive industry and its related markets. The global connected cars market will be worth $153.6 billion USD by 2020, as predicted in a recent report, but this value could be greater if automated robotics are implemented within the industry on a worldwide scale.

For further information on this topic, and a full list of all related documentation, visit the telematics and vehicle electronics section at http://www.researchandmarkets.com/rm/NIJS.