Adding Audi: German Automakers Update Autonomous Alliance
With BMW and Daimler already getting cosy via their autonomous vehicle partnership, the duo plans on bringing self-driving ( SAE Level 4) tech to the masses by 2024. While other automakers have promised more advanced autonomy on a shorter timeline, the reality of the situation is that true self-driving capabilities are proving difficult and expensive to produce. By partnering up, the Germans believe they can continue their quest while sharing the financial burden of development.
The more the merrier, apparently. According to Germany’s Wirtschaftswoche, Audi will be the next guest to arrive at the party. Daimler and BMW’s previous release stipulated that the pair would focus on the joint development of next-generation technologies for driver assistance systems, automated driving on highways, and automated parking — with the goal of seeing those technologies adapted for passenger vehicles by 2024.
Audi’s official announcement isn’t expected to come until September, likely taking place at the IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt. Wirtschaftswoche notes that, because none of the automakers have let anything slip via the typical channels, that could be subject to change. It also noted that Volkswagen’s alliance with Ford will remain intact.
While that could be due to Audi’s premium nature being more in line with the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Ford and VW are also working on fully (SAE Level 5) autonomous vehicles. Rumors have gone so far as to suggest that some of their commercial prototypes don’t even have a steering wheel.
Expect more details on how Audi’s involvement will change the makeup of the partnership next month. The deal currently utilizes over 1,200 specialists broken into small teams. The mixed groups operate collaboratively at several locations, including the Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre (MTC) in Sindelfingen, the Daimler Testing and Technology Centre in Immendingen, and the BMW Group Autonomous Driving Campus in Unterschleissheim.
In July, Daimler reported that members are currently focused on “developing a scalable architecture for driver assistance systems, including sensors, as well as a joint data centre for data storage, administration and processing, and the development of functions and software.”
[Image: Volkswagen Group]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
More by Matt Posky
Comments
Join the conversation
Awesome. When the lawsuits begin, it will be easier to lump more mfrs into one big claim.
That photo should be mandatory viewing for Dealership Sales Managers. Those cars are in Colors, not just gray, grey, white and black.