Mercedes-Benz's parent company, Daimler, and automaker Bosch, plan to launch a standalone car driver for the public in San Jose, California, in the second half of 2019.

The two German automakers have quietly collaborated to bring advances in an increasingly competitive global race to make autonomous cars a reality.

The driver puts Daimler and Bosch about the same pace as General Motors and slightly behind the old car manufacturer Google, Waymo. GM is expected to launch a similar pilot project in the second half of 2019, while Waymo is expected to do so shortly.

Other major automakers and technology companies are also pursuing their self-driving car projects in the real world, but their schedule is longer.

Daimler and Bosch will offer self drive rides in Mercedes-Benz S-Class luxury cars between downtown and west San Jose. The companies said they and San Jose had "signed a memorandum of understanding to continue and finalize this activity."

They had already announced plans to launch a self-driving car driver in Silicon Valley, but has not announced the location.

The rides will be offered through a Daimler Mobility Services application. Users will be able to register later, but their mode of selection is not clear.

"A selected user community will have the opportunity to hail an autonomous car, monitored by a safety driver, from a designated pick-up location and automatically travel to their destination," Daimler and Bosch said in a statement. communicated.

Daimler and Bosch engineers collaborate side by side in the development of autonomous vehicle technologies in offices in Germany and Silicon Valley.

Daimler specializes in providing the vehicle's driving system, while Bosch provides key components, such as sensors.

They stated that their ultimate goal is to provide an autonomous car by 2021.

"The most urgent and difficult job is to develop a system that will work reliably, safely, day and night, whatever the circumstances and conditions," said Michael Fausten, driving manager. Autonomous City of Bosch, USA TODAY earlier this year.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.

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