A Mercedes-Benz autonomous driving automobile prototype on display. Image by David Becker/Getty Images

TEL AVIV (Reuters) – Daimler opened on Thursday a Mercedes-Benz research and development center in Tel Aviv, one of a growing number of multinational firms seeking to tap into Israel’s auto technology expertise as the industry moves towards self-driving cars.

The new center, which focuses on digital vehicle and mobility services, has 15 workers and this number will grow to 25 next year. Financial details were not disclosed.

“Customers will only embrace new technologies if they are confident the software and data are protected. Our new hub in Tel Aviv will help us live up to the expectations of our customers,” Ola Källenius, head of group research and Mercedes-Benz Cars development, told a news conference.

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Israel has about 450 startups working on auto technologies ranging from cyber security for connected cars to perception technology.

Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of management of Daimler and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said that in addition to carrying out its own R&D in Tel Aviv, the German automaker will seek to partner with start-ups and in certain cases invest in or acquire technologies.

In September Daimler’s van division invested $50 million in a joint venture with Israeli-U.S. ride-hailing startup Via.

Also in September, StoreDot, which is developing fast-charging batteries, raised $60 million in financing led by Daimler’s truck division. Daimler joined as a strategic partner to accelerate the adoption of StoreDot’s FlashBattery technology in electric vehicles.

Earlier this year, Intel Corp bought autonomous vehicle firm Mobileye – one of Israel’s biggest tech companies – for $15.3 billion, a deal that set off a wave of investments and acquisitions in the sector.

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