Denso Invests in Artificial Intelligence Startup

Denso Corp. Inc. says it is making an unspecified investment in Thinci Inc., an El Dorado Hills, Calif.-based startup that specializes in “deep learning” and other artificial intelligence technologies. The deal will make Denso the lead investor in Thinci.

The companies plan to further develop and adapt Thinci’s computer and vision processing technologies for autonomous vehicle systems. Potential applications include vehicle location, road condition analysis, path planning, environment perception and driver state analysis.

Denso also envisions using Thinci’s software to improve the efficiency of thermal systems and to optimize powertrain performance. In these applications deep learning and vision processing would continuously monitor and adjust the operation of various systems based on a range of inputs. Examples include tailoring vehicle performance characteristics to changes in altitude, temperature and humidity, automatically switching between 2- and all-wheel-drive modes and tweaking suspension settings based on passenger load.

Deep learning and vision processing replicate how human brains recognize and classify images and patterns. Thinci says its technology can process and analyze an array of elements around a vehicle in parallel to improve efficiency and accuracy.

In addition to its main operations in California, Thinci has a development team in Hyderabad, India. The company says it is working on applications for consumer electronics and smart home automation systems as well as advanced driver assist systems.