Panasonic Acquired All Shares of German Software Company OpenSynergy

Osaka/Berlin - Panasonic Corporation and OpenSynergy GmbH today announced that Panasonic has acquired all the outstanding shares of the German software company to make it a subsidiary on July 22. OpenSynergy is a high-tech company specializing in embedded automotive software for cockpit solutions.

Panasonic positions its automotive business as a high growth area, and expects the business to contribute in the area of "comfort", "safety", and "environment". In order to achieve "zero traffic accidents," which is a recent societal demand, it is important for cars to have advanced driving assistance systems, or ADAS, which help the driver with better vehicle control such as optimum braking, as well as driver support systems that promote safety driving, based on information from sensors inside and outside the car.

A current cockpit system is controlled by two different systems, multimedia functions like navigation and audio, and driver support functions like warning signals on head-up display. To integrate such different functions going forward, and provide a better and intuitively easier driving support, system integration needs to be achieved from the operating system level.

OpenSynergy's software technologies enable multiple different operating systems to be integrated into one system. These technologies make it possible to realize a next-generation cockpit system where multimedia and driver support functions are integrated.

Mr. Hirotoshi Uehara, Executive Officer and Director of Automotive Infotainment Systems Business Division of Panasonic, commented: "Through making OpenSynergy our subsidiary, we will realize a next-generation integrated cockpit system and make a great step toward integrating cockpit system and ADAS with a firm eye on autonomous driving in the future."

Mr. Stefaan Sonck Thiebaut, the Co-CEO of OpenSynergy, explained: "OpenSynergy's mission has been to bring innovative software solutions to the automotive industry and to enable the development of the next generation of highly integrated vehicle systems, embracing the specific safety and security challenges of the vehicle environment." Mr. Rolf Morich, the other Co-CEO, also added: "Under its new ownership, OpenSynergy will keep serving the entire automotive eco-system, Tier 1 suppliers and manufacturers. The synergies with Panasonic will enable us to increase our pace of growth and innovation, providing the best solutions to our customers."

In addition to the software technology solutions referenced above, OpenSynergy is also providing other software such as Bluetooth stack to automakers and Tier 1 suppliers. The company will continue to operate the business as an independent company just as before, under the new ownership.

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, enterprise solutions and device industries. Since its founding in 1918, the company has expanded globally and operates 474 subsidiaries and 94 associated companies worldwide as of March 2016, recording consolidated net sales of 7.553 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2016. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers.
URL: http://www.panasonic.com/global/home.html

About OpenSynergy

OpenSynergy is a high-tech company specializing in embedded automotive software for in-car cockpit solutions. OpenSynergy's core products are the modular software development kit (hereafter referred to as "SDK") COQOS SDK for cockpit controller and connectivity systems and the leading Bluetooth stack Blue SDK. OpenSynergy's products enable the convergence of instrument clusters, head units, driver assistance systems, and car connectivity systems. Essential technologies of OpenSynergy are virtualization and open-source software. OpenSynergy's solutions comply with the requirements of standards such as AUTOSAR* and Bluetooth. Through such solutions, OpenSynergy paves the way for autonomous driving. OpenSynergy's R&D team consists primarily of highly-qualified engineers. Its corporate culture is inspired by the international character that defines its employees, business partners and customers.
URL: http://www.opensynergy.com/

AUTOSAR: Global consortium defining standard specifications of in-car embedded software, and also representing the name of such specifications.

Media Contacts:

Panasonic Corporation: Public Relations Department

Phone: +81 (0)3-3574-5664 (Tokyo, Japan)

OpenSynergy GmbH:

Phone: +49 (0)30-6098540-41(Berlin, Germany)

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