In a deal underscoring the growing importance of software in vehicles, Aptiv will spend $4.3 billion to acquire the software firm Wind River from a hedge fund, TPG Capital of Fort Worth, TX. "The automotive industry is undergoing its largest transformation in over a century, as connected, software-defined vehicles increasingly become critical elements of the broader intelligent ecosystem," says Kevin Clark, Aptiv president and CEO. "With Aptiv and Wind River's synergistic technologies and decades of experience delivering safety-critical systems, we will accelerate this journey to a software-defined future of the automotive industry," says Clark (pictured, below left). "In addition, we are committed to further strengthening Wind River's competitive position in the multiple industries it serves." Aptiv will finance the $4.3 billion transaction through a combination of cash and debt. The acquisition is expected to close mid-year 2022 and is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals.

ALAMEDA, CA -- Sep. 7, 2021 -- Wind River, a global leader in delivering software for intelligent systems, today announced the appointment of seasoned Microsoft executive Avijit Sinha to Chief Product Officer. Sinha will drive the company's product strategy, product management and commercial partnerships with a focus on further expanding the company's industry-leading Wind River Studio offering. Studio, a cloud-native platform for the development, deployment, operations, and servicing of mission-critical intelligent systems, was introduced earlier this year. "Delivering and innovating the industry's best intelligent systems software platform requires the industry's best talent, expertise, and leadership -- Avijit is the embodiment of that standard," said Kevin Dallas, Wind River president and CEO. "His proven experience and track record at Microsoft will be invaluable as we continue to build out our vision for Studio to reflect the evolving needs of our customers, preparing them for the new digital and AI-first world."

Twenty startups were funded in April 2018. Fifteen disclosed transaction amounts totaling $808 million of which the $600 million to SenseTime, the Alibaba-funded Chinese deep learning and facial recognition software provider focused on smart self-driving vehicle systems, was by far the largest. Seven acquisitions also occurred in April. The most notable was the acquisition by Teradyne (which previously acquired Universal Robots and Energid) of MiR (Mobile Industrial Robots) for $148 million with an additional $124 million predicated on very achievable milestones between now and 2020. SenseTime, a Chinese deep learning and facial recognition software provider focused on smart self-driving vehicle systems, raised $600 million in a Series C funding round led by Alibaba Group with participation by Temasek Holdings and Suning Commerce Group.

Lionsgate's R-rated buddy romp "The Hitman's Bodyguard," as predicted, topped the domestic box office for the second weekend in a row as Hollywood's newest releases slumped into theaters, all three opening short of $6 million. Starring Samuel L. Jackson as an imprisoned assassin who needs the help of bodyguard Ryan Reynolds, "Hitman" (which cost $30 million to make) earned $10 million this week in the U.S. and Canada for a cumulative total of $39.6 million. The action comedy, which received mixed reviews -- earning a B rating on CinemaScore but a stale 39% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes -- made $21.6 million in its opening weekend and has dropped 53% since last week. Maintaining the No. 2 spot (despite a 53% drop since last weekend) was Warner Bros' horror prequel "Anabelle: Creation." The film brought in $7.6 million in its third week for a cumulative total of $77.9 million domestically.

The dance documentary "Step" and "Hell or High Water" writer Taylor Sheridan's directorial effort "Wind River," starring Jeremy Renner, highlight limited releases. Armed Response A special-forces team investigates mysterious disappearances at an A.I.-powered top secret military compound. The Battleship Island Near the end of World War II, a Korean independence activist plots to save his countrymen imprisoned by the Japanese as slave labor on the island of Hashima. Written by Ryoo Seung-wan, Shin Kyoung-ill. Brave New Jersey Orson Welles' 1938 "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast shakes up the denizens of a New Jersey town as they unite to battle the "alien" invaders.