Samsung launches $300m self-driving technology fund

Samsung plans to become a major player in autonomous vehicles with the announcement of two major pieces of news. The first is the launch of the Samsung Automotive Innovation Fund, a $300 million (£225m) kitty to help self-driving technology start-ups and schemes. Samsung also revealed an initiative to develop connected-car technology with Harman, the auto parts maker it acquired for $8 billion (£6bn) in November 2016. Samsung has launched an Automotive Innovation Fund, a $300 million (£225m) kitty to help self-driving technology start-ups and schemes. In recent months, Samsung has secured licenses for autonomous driving pilot projects in South Korea and California.