This has the potential to be a game changer for the upcoming self-driving market.

In what could potentially be a significant moment for the future of smart cars for the near future, Faurecia, a France-based car parts supplier, has signed a partnership agreement with German-based ZF, to develop interior and safety technologies for tomorrow’s automated autonomous cars.

The partnership focusses on developing the “cockpit of the future”.

“Together, we can offer complete interior safety features to meet the future challenges which will allow the interior of the future to be safe, connected, versatile and predictive,” said Patrick Koller, Faurecia’s Chief Executive.

In a joint statement, the companies stated they will work independently on current and upcoming projects.

Faurecia, which incidentally has a 46% stake in Peugeot, stated the partnership would involve no capital exchange.

As for ZF, it is one of the top suppliers of driveline and chassis technology. It is also at the forefront of active and passive safety technologies for cars and trucks. In January it had disclosed it was working with Nvidia, a U.S. based graphics chip manufacturer, to develop artificial intelligence (AI) systems for the transportation industry.

“Networked ecosystems are not only at home in Silicon Valley,” said Stefan Sommer, ZF’s Chief Executive.

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Tags: active safety technologies, automated, autonomous, cars, chassis technology, cockpit of the future, driveline technology, Faurecia, France, French, future cars, German, Germany, green cars, interior technologies, passive safety technologies, Peugeot, safety technologies, self-driving cars, Smart cars, smart vehicle interiors, transportation, ZF