Volkwagen achieves a significant advancement in self-driving technology
Volkswagen (VW) and tech giant Bosch have partnered to develop an AI-powered autonomous driving technology that aims to revolutionise the automotive industry. The collaboration, known as the Automated Driving Alliance, focuses on creating a scalable platform for assisted and automated driving up to SAE Level 3, making advanced driver assistance and automated driving functions accessible across all vehicle segments.
The technology, set to launch in 2026, will initially be available at Level 2, allowing for hands-free driving on city streets, rural roads, and highways. By the end of 2026, VW aims to obtain approval for driverless operation in Europe and the USA, potentially making autonomous driving a form of everyday mobility.
The AI-enhanced software stacks developed by the alliance improve safety, comfort, and efficiency. They merge real-world driving data with agile development to continuously improve AI-powered systems such as object recognition, sensor fusion, and powertrain control. The technology relies on artificial intelligence to recognize objects, control steering and brakes, analyse city traffic, and react to other road users.
The collaboration between VW and Bosch, which began in 2022, has already seen extensive testing and validation of the software on public roads in Europe, the U.S., and Japan. Large-scale data collection and AI integration are central activities through 2025.
Bosch plans to license this scalable system to other automakers to broaden adoption, making advanced SAE Level 2/3 automated driving affordable and suitable for all vehicle segments. This is a unique and large-scale European project.
The alliance emphasises cost-effective development to ensure these automated driving functions are not limited to premium vehicles but accessible to all vehicle classes. The cost of highly automated driving systems has been around 6,000 euros, but with this new technology, it is expected to become more affordable, potentially making highly automated driving more accessible to a wider range of drivers.
In addition to cars, the technology is intended to be used in entire bus fleets, including software solutions, booking apps, and maintenance packages. VW aims to target business customers, fleet operators, and public transport providers with this technology.
This would be the first such approval in Europe, potentially transforming autonomous driving from a luxury toy into everyday mobility. The new technology could potentially make highly automated driving more affordable and increase its usage among a wider range of drivers, expanding the usage scenarios for highly automated driving.
Other technology, beyond the AI-powered autonomous driving system developed by Volkswagen and Bosch, will be licensed to other automakers by Bosch to broaden adoption. The technology, initially available at Level 2, aims to make highly automated driving more affordable for various vehicle classes.
