Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. will be the latest company to test self-driving vehicles on California roads as the South Korean-giant received permission to do so from the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

The company was keen to differentiate itself from some others in the space, saying in a statement that “while we have no plans to enter the car-manufacturing business, we are excited to help develop and deliver the next generation of automotive innovation.”

Samsung’s self-driving car technology development ambitions were first revealed in May when it was granted a license to test vehicles in its home country of South Korea. At the time, it was reported that Samsung was developing “top-of-the-line sensors … computer modules backed by artificial intelligence” and “deep-learning technologies to improve cars’ self-driving capabilities even in challenging weather conditions.”

Although it wasn’t specified in the new application, it’s expected that Samsung will be using the same vehicles developed in partnership with Hyundai Motor Co. when it announced testing in South Korea.

Not all of the self-driving car technology Samsung is developing originated in-house, coming instead via its acquisition of Harman International Industries Inc. for $8 billion in November. Harman, which is best known as a maker of car radio and music players, also makes smart car devices and had started developing self-driving car technology prior to its acquisition.

Samsung joins a growing list of companies that have gained permission to test autonomous vehicles on California roads. They include Waymo Inc., Apple Inc., Uber Technologies Inc., Tesla Inc. and a range of car manufacturers, including Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Daimler AG, BMW Group, Volkswagen Group, Nissan Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co. and Subaru Corp.

The news itself comes as U.S. legislators are set to debate a law that would permit automakers and tech giants to obtain exceptions to federal safety rules that would make testing self-driving vehicles across the country easier to undertake. According to Recode, the SELF DRIVE Act still leaves ultimate permission to approve testing to state authorities but stops them from regulating their design.

Photo: nanpalmero/Flickr