(Yicai Global) Dec. 16 -- Black Sesame Technologies, a developer of semiconductors for autonomous driving, said it received a strategic investment from leading Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor.

Based in Silicon Valley and Shanghai, the startup did not disclose how much Dongfeng Motor invested nor the percentage stake it will receive in a statement dated Dec. 14. The carmaker will also use Black Sesame’s chips in two of its passenger car models and develop a self-driving platform based on them, it said.

The two models, expected to be mass-produced next year, are the first pure electric sedan and pure electric sport utility vehicles made by Dongfeng Passenger Vehicle, Black Sesame said. The new platform will give the models Level 2 and L2+ autonomous driving and parking capabilities, including highway-assisted driving and memory parking.

Traditional automaker SAIC Motor, electric vehicle startup Nio, and internet giant Xiaomi, which recently entered the carmaking business, have each invested in Black Sesame previously. China’s FAW Group, Germany’s Bosch, and SAIC are also among its business partners.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Futura Costaglione