By Aditi KhannaLondon, Jan 14 (PTI) The Tata Motors-owned Jaguar LandRover (JLR) is mulling a new software hub at Shannon inIreland as part of its wider plans to invest in electric anddriver-less technology.
According to 'The Sunday Times', the UK-based luxury carmaker plans to create 150 jobs at the site, where it willresearch new technologies related to battery-powered cars andautomated driving.
"The new facility provides an exciting opportunity for usto pioneer future autonomous and electrificationtechnologies," said Nick Rogers, JLR's executive director ofproduct engineering.
The Irish town of Shannon is seen as a hi-tech hotbed,with companies including American chip giant Intel setting upbase there. JLR said its new site would "complement" more than10,000 engineers in the UK, in a move backed by Ireland'sInvestment Development Agency (IDA).
"Having a globally recognised company of suchinternational standing will greatly enhance Shannon'sreputation as a centre of excellence for such business. The150 jobs will be of significant benefit to Clare and themidwest region," said Martin Shanahan of IDA Ireland.
The latest expansion plans come after another record yearfor the Tata Motors' owned company, which sold 621,109 cars in2017, up 1 per cent on 2016.
Last year, the company had announced that from 2020, allnew models under the Jaguar and Land Rover brands will beoffered with electric versions and the firm has committed to arange of hybrid, plug-in and full electric power options inthe coming years.
The firm's first fully electric SUV, the Jaguar I-Pace,goes on sale later this year.
For its new research and development (R&D) hub inIreland, it will look for software engineers with experiencein a range of disciplines such as artificial intelligence,safety critical systems and vehicle architecture. PTI AKKIS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.