Luminar-Airbus venture targeting autonomous aviation 05 May 2021 Airbus UpNextâs new Vertex demonstrator fitted with Luminar technology is working towards safe, autonomous flight. Luminar is an autonomous vehicle sensor and software company that has gained over 50 industry partners, including eight of the top 10 global automakers. In 2020, the firm signed the industryâs first production deal for autonomous consumer vehicles with Volvo Cars, while also recently striking deals with Daimler Truck AG and Intelâs Mobileye. The new partnership with Airbus UpNext is intended to give future flight technologies a âdevelopment fast-track by building, evaluating, maturing and validating new products and services that encompass radical technological breakthroughs,â the partners state.