Big automakers with autonomous vehicle programs have forged alliances with tech companies that, in many cases, are working on the same thing.

Silicon Valley companies, which often prefer designing products to building them, have sought out dance partners with decades of manufacturing experience, even as they fight among themselves over patents and personnel.

The last two years have seen a frenzy of deal-making. This month alone, chipmaker Nvidia announced a partnership with Toyota; BMW reported an alliance with both Intel and auto parts supplier Delphi; and the ride service Lyft teamed up with Waymo, the self-driving car division of Google’s parent company, Alphabet.

For the automakers, forging a partnership with a tech firm or buying a promising startup can give them an edge — or a way to hedge their bets in case in-house efforts are falling behind.

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