Volkswagen’s software subsidiary Cariad and autos supplier Bosch are teaming up to develop software for automated driving to use in Volkswagen’s cars, the companies said in a joint statement on Tuesday.
More than 1,000 workers from both companies will work towards this cause.
The VW-Bosch project will involve the usage of sensors and artificial intelligence tech to collect and analyse real-time traffic data so that it can be used in the software development process.
The goal of the brands is to introduce Level 2 and Level 3 technologies for hands-free driving in urban environments and on freeways. The firms said they’re also examining joint targets and timelines for Level 4 full self-driving.
Volkswagen Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz said the partnership will help to tap into the new revenue pool software. “The components of the developed software can also be used for vehicles and ecosystems of other automakers in the future,” added Antlitz.
Autonomous driving technology is a work in progress due to its complexity and expensiveness. Cariad Chief Executive Officer Dirk Hilgenberg said in a statement stated self-driving technology is key to the future of the automobile industry. Both the companies have also recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) as they aim to industrialise the manufacturing process of battery cells.
Automakers such as Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz won regulatory backing to deploy hands-free driving in Germany with a system approved for Level 3 automated driving last year.
This is a step higher than Tesla’s Level 2 Autopilot system. Intel Corp.’s Mobileye and Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo LLC as well as Baidu Inc. in China are also working on autonomous driving technology.
