Sberbank and Cognitive Technologies team up to develop self-driving tech in Russia

03 December 2019

Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, and Cognitive Technologies, the Moscow-based developer of machine vision and autonomous driving software, have come together to launch a new joint company, Cognitive Pilot. The goal is to release products that enrich Russia’s digital economy and put the country at the forefront of autonomous driving.

Cognitive Pilot will develop advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) based on AI and autonomous control solutions for ground transport and industrial machinery. Cognitive Technologies’ solutions use computer vision, based on deep learning neural networks, to stay highly reliable and precise in all weather conditions. In fact, the company won the “Most Innovative Active Safety or ADAS Product” award at Tech.AD Berlin this year.

Olga Uskova, founder and СЕО of Cognitive Pilot, said: “Cutting down the number of road fatalities is one of the challenges of the new century. Saving people’s lives is what drives our team, and our technology level enables us to solve this task even today. It makes us feel like superheroes. The partnership with Sberbank will extend and speed up the use of our systems.”

The systems are already used across sectors, providing autonomous operations for agricultural machinery, trains, trams, and self-driving cars. The company’s clients include Hyundai Mobis, Russian Railways, Rusagro Group, Transport Systems PC, and other international car manufacturers.

Lev Khasis, first deputy chairman of the executive board at Sberbank, explained: “The world is about to face mainstream use of autonomous solutions and we are interested in Sberbank Group and our entire country being in the forefront of this trend. Cognitive Technologies already has products for transport, agriculture and automotive industries that are very popular among both Russian and foreign clients. This year, Sberbank has become the ultimate AI developer in Russia and we are sure that the expertise in self-driving technology will enjoy demand and contribute to the faster development of AI competence in Russia.”

The deal is scheduled to close sometime this month. Sberbank is getting a 30 percent interest in the company, with 70 percent of shares to be held by the founders and chief executives of Cognitive Technologies.

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