Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • Browse photos from the 2021 awards ceremony
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • TUV Rheinland: Battery testing center for large battery packs and more
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Focus on Technology
January 11, 2022 08:00 AM

Magna acquires self-driving tech from AV startup Optimus Ride

Optimus Ride has discontinued its commercial activities, which were not part of the deal.

John Irwin
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    ADAS-MAIN_i.jpg

    Magna said the former Optimus engineers will remain in the Boston area, establishing an "engineering center and presence for Magna in a community rich in engineering talent, leading academic institutions and robotics."

    Canadian supplier Magna International struck a deal with Optimus Ride to hire more than 120 of the Boston self-driving shuttle company's engineers and acquire its autonomous-vehicle technology and intellectual property.

    Terms were not disclosed in a statement released Tuesday.

    While Magna is not outright acquiring Optimus, the supplier has hired majority of its engineers as part of the transaction. A spokesperson for Magna said the company sent offers of employment to more than 140 "engineering-related employees," with more than 120 accepting.

    The transaction means Optimus Ride has discontinued its commercial activities, which were not part of the deal. The company had deployed autonomous shuttles in urban, geofenced environments in Boston, New York, Virginia, California and Washington, D.C

    "Optimus Ride is not continuing those commercial activities, and they were not part of the transition with Magna," Optimus CEO Sean Harrington said in an interview. "But the engineering team and the underlying technology that we've developed — I'm excited to see that get deployed in the context of Level 2 and Level 3 autonomy" at Magna.

    Harrington said there were no "go-forward" plans for Optimus Ride after the transaction. The former Verizon executive said he would not be joining Magna and would take time to determine the next steps in his career.

    The former Optimus engineers will remain in the Boston area, establishing an "engineering center and presence for Magna in a community rich in engineering talent, leading academic institutions and robotics," Magna said in a news release. The hires were effective Jan. 1, according to the supplier.

    The hires come as the industry and suppliers such as Magna continue to invest heavily in advanced driver-assist systems and autonomous driving technology. Magna Electronics President John O'Hara said the addition of Optimus Ride's engineers to its team will help to "accelerate [its] path forward in a rapidly growing ADAS market."

    "As advancements in autonomy continue, we saw an opportunity to bring in additional expertise to support current programs as well as future customer needs," he said in a news release.

    Harrington said Optimus Ride had previously developed a "very good relationship" with Magna, one that resulted in fruitful talks between the companies in the latter half of 2021.

    "Through those conversations, it became clear that this was the best path forward for all stakeholders in the company," he said.

    Magna, based near Toronto, ranks No. 4 on the Automotive News list of the top 100 global suppliers, with worldwide sales to automakers of $32.6 billion in 2020.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Faurecia's need for more software engineers fueled its acquisition of Hella
    Recommended for You
    FForvia-sign-on-building-Germany-web.jpg
    Faurecia's need for more software engineers fueled its acquisition of Hella
    Denso sign web.jpg
    Denso helps engineers learn new skills for EV age
    MIcrochip generic 2022
    Spain finds few takers for $12b in microchip subsidies
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
        • Browse photos from the 2021 awards ceremony
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • TUV Rheinland: Battery testing center for large battery packs and more
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us