Byton to source self-driving tech from Aurora

Byton and Aurora will test an experimental level four system for two years.

China-based start-up Byton will source its self-driving technology from Aurora, another start-up founded in California by a former Google executive.

The partnership aims to produce level four and level five technology Byton will embed into its prototypes. Additional details remain few and far between, but the company added it will test the level four system in experimental vehicles for a period of two years.

After that, Byton and Aurora will decide whether to take the partnership a step further or call it quits. If all goes well, Aurora will provide Byton with a level four system suitable for production vehicles. Level five -- meaning no steering wheel or pedals are required -- will come later.

Byton showed its first-ever concept car (pictured) at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The all-electric crossover allegedly offers up to 300 miles of range and, in its most powerful configuration, about 525 pound-feet of torque from a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup. The company promises sales will begin next year in China.

Aurora's list of clients has grown considerably in recent months. Early last month, Volkswagen announced plans to work with the firm to build and test self-driving cars. Just a day later, Hyundai said it will work with Aurora to design a level four system for mass production.

Photos by Ronan Glon.