Israel's defense expertise drives tech boom for autonomous cars

SHFAYIM, Israel (Reuters) - Technology that has helped Israel's military drive tanks, guide and intercept missiles, and keep its computer systems secure is being redeployed in the development of driverless cars. Investment from firms seeking access to Israeli expertise in automated driving, much of it gathered by engineers during their conscription, is pouring into startups. U.S. chipmaker Intel, German auto supplier Continental, Samsung, Daimler, Ford Motor Co and GM are among those to have bought startups or set up their own development centers in Israel. Inexperience in car-making, distance from traditional auto centers and competition from other tech sectors for top staff are a challenge for investors. Israeli auto tech startups still raised almost as much as similar U.S. companies last year.