(Yicai Global) Jan.6 -- Swedish automaker Volvo Cars will partner with American autopilot startup Luminar Technologies to test driverless technologies in California by mid-2022 ahead of a new electric vehicle launch this year.

The carmaker that is controlled by China's Geely Holding Group and the Orlando-based sensor startup will test the former's new autonomous driving feature Ride Pilot on American highways, the Gothenburg-headquartered company wrote in a newsletter yesterday.

After proven safe, the feature should be made available on Volvo's upcoming electric sport utility vehicle later this year. The first intended market is California, after which the subscription service should be extended to other regions.

Luminar's light detection and ranging sensor will complement the new car model's five radars, eight cameras, and sixteen ultrasonic sensors, according to Volvo.

The software is a fruit of collaboration. Ride Pilot is created by Zenseact, a smart driving assistant unit of Volvo, along with the Swedish parent's team of developers, and those of Luminar. Volvo is testing the software in Sweden together with Zenseact as part of the verification process.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi