SAMSUNG SET TO DOMINATE THE AUTO-MOBILE WORLD AGAIN.

Samsung has moved a step further in its plan for self-driving cars to rival likes of Google (Waymo), Uber and Apple, bringing the key players from the battle for smartphone dominance to the brave new world of autonomous vehicles.

The electronic guru, which is the world's largest smartphone maker and a chip giant in its own right, has been given permission to test  its self-driving cars on public roads by South Korea government.

The decision puts Samsung in direct competition with US technology firms, including Uber, Waymo and Apple, all of which are already testing self-driving vehicles on public roads. Samsung's smartphone rival, Apple, was recently granted permission to test its long-rumored vehicles in California.

Unlike Apple, Google and other US technology firms, which predominantly use modified Lexus SUVs for testing their autonomous systems, Samsung is using fellow Korean firm Hyundai's vehicles. The cars will be augmented with Samsund-developed advanced sensors and machine-learning systems, which vehicles, rather than build cars itself.

According to Samsung spokesman "Samsung Electronics plan to develop algorithms, sensors and computer modules that will make a self-driving car that is reliable even in the worst weather conditions".

The South Korean chaebol completed its 8 billion Dollars (6.2 billion Pounds) acquisition of US automotive and audio supplier Harman International in march, a move it said would help Samsung seize on the transformative opportunities autonomous vehicle technology could bring. Samsung has previously pledge full suport for the burgeoning Internet of things, integrating smart, connected technology into everyday appliances, something autonomous vehicles are expected to rely on for car-to-car and car-to-road communications.

While Waymo has what was known as the self-driving Google car, and Uber has used Volvo cars among others, it is still unclear how self-driving technology will become available to the public and whether technology firms  will turn into car firms, as  Musk's Tesla has.

Most major automotive manufacturers, including Mercedes, Volvo and South Korea's Hyundai, which has granted permission to test self-driving technology on public roads in south Korea as the government attempts to make the country a favourable environment for technology and automotive development.

The country also reduced the number of mandatory passengers in each self-driving test vehicle from two to one and paved the way for the testing of cars without steering wheels or pedals, which are key components required to allow human test pilots to take control in an emergency.