Millions of motorists experience a groundbreaking shift as Volkswagen and Bosch push boundaries in automobile technology
Volkswagen (VW) and Bosch have announced plans to roll out automated driving systems by mid-2026, focusing on making Level 2 and Level 3 driver assistance widely available in series production vehicles. The technology aims to act as naturally as a human driver by covering perception, decision-making, and action using advanced AI software.
The first vehicle models already testing this technology include the VW ID.Buzz and the Audi Q8, with both equipped as trial platforms for the AI-powered software stack developed by Bosch and VW’s software subsidiary, Cariad.
In addition, the VW ID.Buzz AD robotaxi—a Level 4 autonomous electric microbus—is set for deployment on public roads in 2026 across Europe and the U.S. However, this is a more advanced vehicle category primarily for robotaxi services rather than personal cars.
The jointly developed software platform for automated driving is expected to be ready for series vehicles by mid-2026. The new features will enable drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel in various driving situations.
The electric compact car ID.1 is considered a possible launch model for these new automated driving systems. VW and Bosch are still working together on the technical implementation of these automated driving systems.
AI is central to the software-tech chain for the new driving functions, handling object recognition, sensor fusion, and safe control commands for drive, steering, and braking. Mathias Pilin, technology chief of Bosch Mobility, sees data and AI as key to the widespread use of these systems.
Bosch plans to offer the software architecture to other manufacturers worldwide, potentially increasing the international reach of VW's technology. VW and Bosch aim to make automated driving available to millions of private drivers.
Cariad CEO Peter Bosch emphasizes that drivers can gain valuable time in their car with these new systems. The new driving functions will be tested in real-world traffic in Europe, Japan, and the USA. The software is designed to be usable in many global markets.
The goal of VW remains to make the comfort and safety of automated driving systems accessible to as many people as possible. The goal of VW is to make the comfort and safety of automated driving systems accessible to as many people as possible.
- The AI-powered automated driving systems developed by VW and Bosch's software subsidiary, Cariad, will be available in series production vehicles, starting with the VW ID.Buzz and Audi Q8 as trial platforms.
- The electric compact car ID.1 is a potential launch model for the newly developed automated driving systems, as VW and Bosch continue to work on their technical implementation.
- Bosch intends to offer the software architecture for automated driving to other global manufacturers, aiming to extend the international reach of VW's technology and make automated driving available to millions of private drivers worldwide.
