Applied Intuition, a Silicon Valley-based company founded in 2017, has quickly risen to prominence in the development of driver-assisted and automated-driving technologies. Co-founders Qasar Younis and Peter Ludwig, both hailing from Detroit, have firmly established Applied Intuition as a Bay Area company with no intentions of leaving despite the supposed “tech exodus” to other states.
The company’s focus lies in building software and AI products that cater to the needs of the vehicle industry, serving as a supplier of vehicle software to engineers and automakers. Applied Intuition’s software has already found its way into the vehicles of 18 out of the top 20 global automotive manufacturers.
Addressing concerns over the safety of autonomous driving, Ludwig emphasizes that Applied Intuition provides tools and infrastructure to enable companies to enhance the safety of their autonomous systems. While acknowledging the ongoing differentiation between driver assistance and fully autonomous vehicles, Ludwig believes that autonomous systems will ultimately prove to be much safer than human drivers.
Applied Intuition recently announced partnerships with Audi and Porsche, with the latter potentially integrating Applied Intuition’s software into their vehicles. However, Younis refrains from making any definitive statements about Porsche’s plans.
The company’s culture and philosophy align with the traditional Silicon Valley ethos, with a majority of employees being software engineers and partners of the company. Applied Intuition operates as a venture-backed business, funded primarily by Bay Area investors, and prides itself on being cash flow positive.
In the face of fears surrounding AI, Younis emphasizes that the lack of understanding is often the root cause. He draws parallels to the initial backlash against cell phones, highlighting that over time, society learns to adapt and leverage new technologies for maximum advantage. Applied Intuition remains confident in the potential of autonomous vehicles to save lives and improve road safety.
Despite discussions of a “tech exodus” to states like Texas and Florida, Younis cites the abundance of skilled software engineers and their understanding of the value of equity as reasons for staying in the Bay Area. The company believes that the region’s unique ecosystem fosters an environment conducive to startup growth.