Volkswagen's "AI Lab" focuses on tech partnerships and vehicle

The Volkswagen Group has recently announced the launch of a new artificial intelligence company, "AI Lab" In a statement from Volkswagen, this new entity will primarily focus on establishing partnerships within the broader tech industry and developing digital prototypes for future vehicles. Volkswagen-Porsche CEO Oliver Blume highlighted that the company aims to integrate cars with external systems through this venture: This initiative could signal a move toward blending existing driver assistance technologies with external digital infrastructure.

External Digital Ecosystems

Over the past five years, the automotive and technology industries have dedicated substantial efforts to addressing the challenges of autonomous driving and driver assistance systems. However, achieving a fully autonomous vehicle remains a goal yet to be accomplished. Many industry experts believe that achieving true autonomy may depend on vehicles' ability to connect with external infrastructure. This could involve outfitting vehicles with the necessary hardware and AI capabilities to interact with traffic signals, road networks, and other vehicles. Potential advancements may include creating networks of vehicles traveling on the same routes, enabling collision avoidance and collective sensing capabilities. Volkswagen stated that AI Lab will prioritize vehicle-to-vehicle communication alongside innovations in infotainment, predictive maintenance, and advanced charging solutions.

Internal Artificial Intelligence

Michael Steiner, Volkswagen's head of research and development, stated that AI Lab will have the autonomy to forge its own agreements with tech firms, independent of current production links and existing partnerships. This suggests that the company will focus on rapid prototyping, with an emphasis on accelerating the integration of AI solutions into production vehicles.