VW confirms end of automated driving alliance with Bosch

VW subsidiary Cariad has confirmed the end of its Automated Driving Alliance (ADA) with Bosch. Reports to this effect emerged just a few days ago, suggesting that internal teams at VW currently consider the technology developed by ADA to be uncompetitive.

However, the partners state that the alliance has delivered results: an AI-based system for SAE Level 2 was developed, which can now be used by both companies for assisted and automated driving solutions. This enables ‘hands-free driving’, where the driver may take their hands off the steering wheel and the vehicle steers itself – at least temporarily. Volkswagen has confirmed that its electric city car, the ID.EVERY1, planned for 2027, will feature this technology. In principle, the system can be integrated into various vehicle classes – from city cars to premium models – and into both electric and internal combustion engine platforms, according to Cariad.

“Advanced driver assistance systems are becoming increasingly important for our customers. They make driving safer, more comfortable, and easier. That’s why the Volkswagen Group remains committed to bringing highly automated driving to Europe and North America and is consistently aligning its strategy toward that goal,” says Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume. He added that Cariad and Bosch have jointly created a strong technological foundation for this through the Automated Driving Alliance.

According to Automobilwoche, the original contract was set to run until the end of 2029 but has now been terminated by VW and Cariad. Handelsblatt reports that Volkswagen does not believe the alliance can achieve the leap to SAE Level 3 quickly enough. At this level, responsibility shifts from the driver to the vehicle, allowing the driver to not only take their hands off the steering wheel but also their eyes off the road. However, the driver must still be prepared to retake control within ten seconds if prompted by the vehicle.

Volkswagen is now committed to further developing the system but intends to seek a new partner. As previously reported and considered likely by Automobilwoche, Mobileye is a potential candidate. VW has already been collaborating with the Israeli company since last year on Level 2+ highway assistants for internal combustion models. Additionally, Volkswagen is already using Mobileye’s Level 4 autonomous driving technology in the ID. Buzz AD, which is soon to be deployed in the USA by Uber.

According to Handelsblatt, insiders also consider a collaboration with the British startup Wayve likely. Wayve specialises in so-called AI foundation models, which can learn and interpret traffic situations in a manner similar to how modern language models process text, the newspaper explains. In February, Wayve secured around one billion euros from financial investors, as well as strategic investors including Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Stellantis, Uber, Nvidia, and Microsoft.

cariad.technology, automobilwoche.de (DE), handelsblatt.com (DE)