TEL AVIV -- Israeli automotive technology startup Tactile Mobility said on Tuesday it had secured $9 million in funding from Porsche, Union Tech Ventures and previous investors.
Tactile Mobility said it plans to use the funds, which could grow to $14 million, to further develop its technology and data offerings and expand marketing operations.
Tactile Mobility develops software that uses a vehicle's non-visual sensors, including wheel speed, wheel angle, RPM and gear position to help smart and autonomous vehicles "feel" vehicle-road dynamics and road conditions below their tires.
In addition, the company said it crowd sources data regarding vehicle-road dynamics from vehicles equipped with its software to create a representation of each vehicle's characteristics that can help maximize vehicle longevity, and a road conditions and hazards map layer.
The company is collaborating with several automakers including Ford and Porsche as well as with municipalities and road authorities in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
"Tactile Mobility’s method helps us collect additional information about the condition of vehicles and roads that goes beyond the information that can be obtained with conventional sensor systems,” Porsche development chief Michael Steiner said in a statement.
An integration into series production cars is planned for the beginning of the next decade, Porsche said.
Automotive News Europe contributed to this report
