A*STAR's I2R and China's BYD develop a joint vehicle laboratory

SINGAPORE & SHENZHEN, China--A*STAR's Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) and BYD Co. Ltd., one of China's largest companies specializing in battery technologies, has signed a joint laboratory agreement to develop electric vehicles with autonomous vehicle sensors. The joint laboratory will leverage I2R's in-depth vehicle expertise in integrating Autonomous Vehicle (AV) technologies and combine BYD's state-of-the-art electric vehicle (EV) capabilities to develop: Drive-by-Wire system on BYD's electric cars using electronic controls to activate the brakes, control the steering, and operate other systems in the vehicles. An autonomous Vehicle fleet management system that can dynamically allocate AV resources based on real time information or vehicle-location, route, origin-destination information.

Moreover, as Singapore's largest ICM research institute, I2R, will implement its primary cutting-edge autonomous vehicle sensory system that collects data on AV intelligence and AV fleet management in these electric vehicles. This data will be useful for the AV robotic intelligence to learn situational awareness in the context of Singapore traffic rules and to make intelligent judgments based on predicted responses. This can enable the driverless system to co-exist seamlessly, predictably, and safely with human-driven vehicles in the future.

Dr. Lee Shiang Long, Executive Director of I2R said, "I2R is very proud to be able to attract BYD, one of China's largest companies specializing in electric vehicles to invest heavily in Singapore and jointly develop more than one hundred electric cars with autonomous capabilities. With I2R's expertise in the autonomous vehicle technologies, coupled with BYD's vast experience in electric vehicles and strong support from relevant Singapore authorities, we hope to benefit the transport industry in Singapore and countries all over the world."

Mr. Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Group, said, "Intelligent cars will be one of the most important directions for the transportation industry in the future. The collaboration between BYD and I2R, Singapore's largest ICM research institute, with its deep knowledge in autonomous vehicle technologies, is going to be an exciting journey for us. We believe that a new energy vehicle embedded with autonomous driving technologies will provide drivers with a completely different driving experience."

About I2R

Singapore's largest ICT research institute, I2R (pronounced as i-squared-r) is a member of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) family. Established in 2002, our vision is to power a vibrant and strong infocomm ecosystem in Singapore. I2R focuses on conducting mission oriented research to address key challenges faced locally. At I2R, intelligence, communications and media (ICM) form our 3 strategic thrusts. Our research capabilities are in information technology, wireless and optical communication networks, interactive and digital media, sensors, signal processing and computing. We perform R&D in ICM technologies to develop holistic solutions across the ICM value chain and we believe that the greatest impact is created when research outcomes are translated into technologies our partners can readily deploy at a competitive advantage. For more information about I2R, please visit www.i2r.a-star.edu.sg.

About A*STAR

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is the lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation-driven Singapore. A*STAR oversees 14 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research institutes, and six consortia & centres, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis as well as their immediate vicinity. A*STAR supports Singapore's key economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry. It also supports extramural research in the universities, and with other local and international partners. For more information about A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.

About BYD

BYD Company Ltd. is one of China's largest companies to have successfully expanded globally. Specializing in battery technologies, their green mission to "solve the whole problem" has made them industry pioneers and leaders in several High-tech sectors including High-efficiency Automobiles, Electrified Public Transportation, Environmentally-Friendly Energy Storage, Affordable Solar Power and Information Technology and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) services.

As the world's largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, their mission to create safer and more environmentally friendly battery technologies has led to the development of the BYD Iron Phosphate (or "Fe") Battery. This fire-safe, completely recyclable and incredibly long-cycle technology has become the core of their clean energy platform that has expanded into automobiles, buses, trucks, utility vehicles and energy storage facilities. BYD and all of their shareholders, including the great American Investor Warren Buffett, see these environmentally and economically forward products as the way of the future.

BYD has made a strong entrance to the North, Central and South American markets with their battery electric buses, and lineup of automobiles. Their mission lies not just in sales growth, but also in sociological integration and local job creation as they have poured incredible investments into developing offices, dealerships and manufacturing facilities in the local communities they now call home, truly a first for Chinese companies. For more information, please visit www.byd.com or www.facebook.com/bydcompany.