Bosch and Cariad, the software division of Volkswagen, are strengthening their long-standing partnership to accelerate the development of automated driving technology. The collaboration aims to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into vehicle systems, enabling the creation of Level 2 and Level 3 driver assistance features. This partnership goes beyond traditional AI applications in the automotive industry, such as object recognition, and seeks to harness AI to interpret data from various sensors, including cameras and radars, and control essential vehicle functions like powertrain, steering, and braking.
The goal of Bosch and Cariad is to achieve Level 2 and Level 3 autonomy, which would allow for “hands off” and “eyes off” driving, respectively. This would enable the vehicle to emulate human interpretation, decision-making, and action, effectively replacing the need for human intervention. By leveraging AI, the companies aim to create a system that can act with natural-like intuition, making automated driving available to millions of private motorists in mainstream and premium cars.
The newly enhanced software stack is currently being tested in various VW Group vehicles, including the VW ID. Buzz and Audi Q8, in trials across Europe, Japan, and the United States. The tests are designed to cater to diverse regulatory and road environments, with the goal of making the technology production-ready by 2026. Volkswagen plans to integrate the software stack into its next-generation architecture for all software-defined vehicles across its brands.
While Volkswagen is working towards Level 3 autonomy, Mercedes-Benz has already achieved this milestone with its Drive Pilot system, available to customers in Germany, Nevada, and California. Bosch intends to make the new technology available to other automakers globally, potentially setting new benchmarks for safety, reliability, and interoperability. The partnership between Bosch and Cariad is poised to drive significant progress in automated driving, with the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry and make autonomous driving a reality for millions of drivers worldwide.