Why Tesla Acquired DeepScale, a Machine Learning Startup That's 'Squeezing' A.I.

Tesla has quietly acquired an artificial intelligence company to build out its Autopilot autonomous driving system. Tesla this week closed the acquisition of DeepScale, a company that uses sophisticated "deep neural networks" and other aspects of artificial intelligence to help a vehicle's in-car autonomous driving technology more effectively "see" what's around it. The news was first reported by CNBC, who cited sources claiming Tesla had acquired DeepScale. Tesla did not respond to Fortune's request for comment, and has so far remained quiet on the acquisition's details, but DeepScale CEO Forrest Iandola updated his LinkedIn account on Tuesday, saying that he has joined Tesla's Autopilot team to work on deep learning and autonomous driving. Tesla makes small acquisitions from time to time, but DeepScale appears to be its most significant acquisition since February, when the company announced that it would acquire Maxwell Technologies to improve its battery technology.