Dive Brief:
- The Volkswagen Group and Mobileye will ramp up their collaboration and develop more advanced self-driving technology, the companies announced Wednesday.
- Under the agreement, Volkswagen will add Mobileye’s SuperVision and Chauffeur autonomous driving technology to more production models in the future, which includes developing an AI-powered, SAE International Level-4 system for commercial vehicles.
- Mobileye will also supply the Volkswagen Group with production-ready software architecture for several brands, including Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche. Cariad, the automaker’s software unit, will manage the platform, and each brand will tailor the technology to its needs.
Dive Insight:
For legacy automakers, collaborating with tech companies like Mobileye can speed up the development and rollout of software-powered technology, including more advanced automated driving systems.
Just one in four automakers are fully prepared for software-defined vehicles, according to an AlixPartners survey in January. The same report found that Tier 1 suppliers must adapt to automakers’ needs as the industry pivots to building more software-defined vehicles.
The Volkswagen Group has collaborated with Mobileye, owned by chipmaker Intel Corp., on autonomous driving technology since 2018. The technology supplier specializes in computer vision processing for highly automated driving functions and vehicle advanced driver assist systems, such as automatic emergency braking and lane centering control.
As the companies develop more advanced driving systems, Mobileye will provide the automaker with production-ready technologies, including Level-2 automated driving capabilities. In 2026, the Volkswagen Group plans to add a Level-4 automated driving system to a version of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric van intended for commercial mobility and transportation services.
“Our goal is to offer our customers throughout the world outstanding products with cutting-edge technology,” said Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group and Porsche AG, in a press release. "New automated driving functions will significantly boost convenience and safety.”
In addition to working with Mobileye, the Volkswagen Group plans to collaborate with its other partners, including Bosch and Qualcomm, to further develop and refine software-based vehicles.
