The Volkswagen Group has recently established a new artificial intelligence (AI) company called “AI Lab.”
According to a press release from Volkswagen, the new company will focus on forming partnerships with the larger technology industry and developing digital prototypes for its vehicles.
As Volkswagen-Porsche CEO Oliver Blume explained, the new company’s aspirations will include connecting cars to external systems:
“We want to provide our customers with genuine added value through artificial intelligence. We intend to integrate external digital ecosystems with the vehicle, resulting in an even better product experience. Collaboration with technology companies is critical for us. In the future, we intend to simplify organizational and cultural cooperation.”
This could indicate a shift toward integrating existing driver assistance software with external infrastructure.
External Digital Ecosystems
The technology and automotive industries have spent the last half-decade working to solve difficult challenges related to autonomous driving and driver assistance. However, the development of a fully autonomous (self-driving) car has yet to occur.
Many experts believe that the challenge of autonomy may necessitate connectivity to external infrastructure. This could take the form of providing vehicles with the necessary hardware and AI software to connect to traffic signals, roads, and other vehicles.
Further advancements could include connecting vehicles on the same roads to enable collision avoidance and shared sensing.
Volkswagen said the new AI Lab will concentrate on vehicle-to-vehicle communication, infotainment, predictive maintenance, and advanced charging technologies.
Internal artificial intelligence
Michael Steiner, Volkswagen’s head of research and development, says AI Lab will be able to make its own deals with tech companies “irrespective of existing arrangements and other links in series production.” This suggests that the new company will focus on rapid prototyping and, ostensibly, bringing AI solutions to market faster.
According to the press release, potential partners are already having “explanatory talks” about the company’s first products.
