LONDON, May 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MIRA – the advanced engineering, research and test consultancy – has signed a collaboration agreement with Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, to deliver a strategic report on the subject of autonomous driving vehicles. The collaboration is in response to growing demand from global OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and other associated automotive and technology organisations wanting in-depth market, technology, engineering, and consumer analysis in this field.

The aim of the collaboration is to combine MIRA's experience in the engineering, design, testing and validation of autonomous vehicles with Frost & Sullivan's expertise in data acquisition, market analysis and consumer analysis to create a strategic roadmap and market forecast for autonomous driving vehicles.

"In recent years we have witnessed the growing integration of smart sensors and embedded systems into existing automotive products," commented Dr Geoff Davis, Chief Commercial and Technical Officer, MIRA Ltd. "There have been a number of high profile developments such as Google's driverless car."

"Simultaneously, efforts continue to be made in increasing the ease of access to smart networks within our urban and inter-urban environments that will allow our vehicles to communicate and co-operate with each other and the infrastructure."

Autonomous vehicles are considered globally to be part of the solution to the sustainability issues of congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and reducing transport related fatalities. This strategic report will be available from June 2013 and will help companies to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace by identifying and prioritising the market opportunities and areas for autonomous vehicle technology development.

Dr. Geoff Davis said: "This publication is the first exciting step in what will be the first of many collaborations, bringing together the complementary capabilities of MIRA and Frost & Sullivan."

"We see autonomous driving as one of the next big change factors in the automotive market and are very excited about the collaboration with MIRA who will provide a technical focus to support our traditional research and consulting approach," concluded Frost & Sullivan Partner and Global Practice Director Automotive & Transportation, Mr. Sarwant Singh. "We believe that there is a natural synergy between MIRA and Frost & Sullivan which will bear more fruit in the future."

To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:

Hayley Longdin or Heather Kirkman at Grayling
T: +0121-265-2760
E: hayley.longdin@grayling.com / heather.kirkman@grayling.com

Katja Feick,
Corporate Communications Manager
Frost & Sullivan
T: +49-(0)-69-770-3343
E: katja.feick@frost.com

Notes to Editors

MIRA Ltd. is a world-leader in advanced engineering, research and product testing. Over the past 67 years it has grown into a truly international organisation with facilities located around the world. MIRA's work spans the Automotive, Defence, Aerospace and Rail industries and includes the development of ground-breaking low carbon vehicle technologies.

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies?

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan