Robert Bosch today announced it will acquire 3D mapping company Atlatec as the world’s largest automotive supplier seeks to accelerate its development of automated driving systems.

Atlatec, based in Karlsruhe, Germany, creates high-resolution 3D maps for use in vehicles equipped with Level 3 or 4 automated technology. The company employs 25 people in Germany, Japan and the United States, according to Bosch. .

Bosch sees digital maps playing a “crucial role” in the development of automated driving, alongside vehicle sensors such as radars and cameras.

“The planned acquisition of Atlatec further expands our expertise in high-resolution digital maps and makes us even more diverse,” Mathias Pillin, president of cross-domain computing solutions at Bosch, said in a statement. “This makes Bosch the only company able to offer its customers all the basics needed for automated driving – from actuators and sensors to software and maps – from a single source.”

Automakers are increasingly turning to acquisitions and partnerships with mapping companies as they look to develop autonomous vehicle systems. Toyota, for example, bought the American high-tech mapping company Carmera last year.

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval. Bosch declined to disclose the purchase price of Atlatec.

Robert Bosch ranks No. 1 on the Automotive News Europe list of top global suppliers, with annual sales to automakers of $46.52 billion in 2020.