Magna has unveiled MAX4, a fully integrated, customizable, and scalable autonomous driving sensing and computing platform that the company says can enable up to Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities in both urban and highway environments. 

MAX4 combines cameras, radar, LiDAR, and ultrasonic sensors with a computing platform. The system is designed for easy integration with automakers' existing and future platforms—including hybrid and electric vehicles. Additionally, Magna says its computing platform is scalable for high-volume production, is flexible, upgradeable, and fully functional with a fraction of the power requirements of alternative solutions.

Magna says its integration of MAX4 retains an automaker's existing design and styling freedom for their vehicle, including not taking up cargo space in the rear of the vehicle and personal space in the main compartment.

"At the heart of this development is a desire to show the market Magna's breadth of capabilities and an autonomous driving enabling platform with subsystems that do not compromise the interior and exterior of a vehicle," said Swamy Kotagiri, Magna's Chief Technology Officer. "Our focus is on developing production-ready solutions that offer flexibility to integrate and the framework to enable Level 4 technology for when the market is ready."

One of the targets for Magna was to simplify the way drivers engage with autonomous driving systems, including the option of an intuitive and familiar cruise-control-like user interface that is controlled through the press of a button. A lighted display indicates that the vehicle is in autonomous mode, and drivers can disengage that mode via brake pedal or an emergency button.

Magna recently showcased its Level 3 autonomous capability with a 300-mile test drive, which crossed an international border, and during which the vehicle drove autonomously for 92% of the trip. 

Magna will demonstrate its autonomous enabling technologies at the 2017 International Motor Show (IAA), which takes place from Sept. 14 to 24, in Frankfurt, Germany, Hall 8 booth D34.