Audi, BMW and Daimler buy Nokia's digital mapping business

There are many key elements to the successful implementation of connected, autonomous cars. Intelligent, realtime maps and location services are two of the most important elements, however, because cars — even with environment sensors and rear view cameras — will need a bigger picture of what lies ahead.

Though essential, the technologies have long been out of the reach of many major automakers. That is, until now.

A consortium of three of Germany's largest automakers, Audi, BMW and Daimler (the parent company of Mercedes-Benz), just took a big step towards applying those essential technologies into customer cars by agreeing to buy Nokia's digital mapping business, HERE, for just shy of $2.8 billion. Read more...