Skip to main content

VW forms driverless subsidiary

Volkswagen (VW) has formed an autonomy subsidiary in the German cities of Munich and Wolfsburg with the aim of developing a self-driving system (SDS). The company says Volkswagen Autonomy (VWAT) is to work with Argo AI to establish an SDS as a standard module for all group brands in the future. In July, VW agreed to collaborate more closely in autonomy with Ford which includes a stake in Argo AI. As part of the deal, VWAT will collaborate with VW Commercial Vehicles to integrate the SDS into purpose-buil
November 15, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

Volkswagen (VW) has formed an autonomy subsidiary in the German cities of Munich and Wolfsburg with the aim of developing a self-driving system (SDS).

The company says Volkswagen Autonomy (VWAT) is to work with Argo AI to establish an SDS as a standard module for all group brands in the future.

In July, VW agreed to collaborate more closely in autonomy with Ford which includes a stake in Argo AI.

As part of the deal, VWAT will collaborate with VW Commercial Vehicles to integrate the SDS into purpose-built robo-taxis and robo-vans.

VW’s senior vice president for autonomous driving Alexander Hitzinger will manage VWAT, which will be responsible for all activities related to autonomous driving from SAE Level 4.

"We will continue to use synergies across all group brands to reduce the cost of self-driving vehicles, high-performance computers and sensors. We plan to start commercialising autonomous driving at a large scale around the middle of the next decade,” he says.

Looking ahead, the company intends to establish two additional subsidiaries to support the development of the SDS in Silicon Valley and China.

Related Content

  • The Asia-Pacific poses a multitude of ITS challenges
    May 30, 2014
    The Asia-Pacific ITS Forum and Exhibition in Auckland, New Zealand, provided a focus for the region’s ITS Associations. Mary Bell reports. In late April, ITS New Zealand hosted the 13th Asia-Pacific ITS Forum and Exhibition in Auckland. Around 350 delegates from 24 nations gathered to share and advance ITS applications on both strategic and technical levels and to discuss the differing and various challenges faced in the region.
  • How ITS helped Coachella get its groove back
    November 15, 2024
    California’s Coachella Valley attracts visitors to myriad music and sports events. But now an ambitious traffic management initiative aims to cut travel times and reduce emissions. Adam Hill talks to the engineers involved in the massive CV Sync project
  • Kapsch TrafficCom introduces new roadside unit for C-V2X
    January 9, 2019
    Kapsch TrafficCom has introduced what it says is the first configurable roadside unit for Cooperative Vehicle to Everything (C-V2X) direct communication. Presented at the Consumer Electronics Show 2019 in Las Vegas, the RIS-9260 is based on the Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X chipset solution, and is designed to connect vehicles with their environment, “while enabling traffic infrastructure to support vehicles with the information needed to improve safety, efficiency and support autonomous driving”. Kapsch Traff
  • VW & BP move fast on EVs
    May 2, 2022
    Industry giants have partnered to build a fast-charging network across Europe by 2024