Dayton, Ohio-based software startup Oculii has signed an agreement with Canonsburg-based Ansys Inc. (NASDAQ: ANSS) to further the development of autonomous vehicle radar systems.
According to Shane Emswiler, senior vice president of products at Ansys, the partnership between the two companies will aim to design solutions that could shape autonomous radar technologies of the future.
"AVs face immense engineering challenges before they'll be deemed safe," Emswiler said in a release. "There is great demand within the market for higher-performing, cost-effective autonomous technology."
More specifically, Oculii will use Ansys' High Frequency Electromagnetic Simulation Software (HFSS) to develop software and hardware for radar systems on AVs that can more accurately perceive their surroundings. Oculii will rely on the predictive accuracy that Ansys' HFSS offers, which will lead to an overall improved design for these radar systems. Additionally, these systems can be more compact without compromising on the image and data resolution that is generated by the radar.
"Ansys HFSS has been invaluable because it allows us to make high-fidelity measurements and predictions around how design optimizations will impact real world performance," Steven Hong, CEO at Oculii, said in the release. "Using HFSS, we can close design cycles more quickly, and build confidence in what we do."
To date, Oculii has raised $75 million from investors and maintains offices in Silicon Valley and Beijing outside of its Dayton headquarters.
The agreement with Oculii marks the latest of several recent partnerships announced from Ansys relating to automotive and autonomous vehicle technology. In late October, the company partnered with Ford Motor Co. to work on the development of next-generation predictive headlight technology. On Aug. 12, Ansys announced it entered into a strategic partnership with Germany-based IPG Automotive that will see the two companies combine their respective simulation and AV technology to help vehicle manufacturers expedite the path-to-market rollout of self-driving cars.
