Bosch and CARIAD are expanding their collaboration within the Automated Driving Alliance to further advance technologies for Level 2 and Level 3 assisted and automated driving. The companies are enhancing their software stack by integrating cutting-edge computing methods, enabling more capable and intuitive driver assistance systems. These systems are designed to respond more naturally, similar to how a human would, thereby improving the overall driving experience and safety.
The software solution under development handles key functions such as perception, interpretation, decision-making, and control. By using advanced techniques, the Alliance aims to make these systems widely accessible—across both mass-market and premium vehicles. Ultimately, the goal is for drivers to be able to take their hands off the wheel in certain situations, with the technology taking over seamlessly.
Initial versions of this driving software are already in use in testing fleets and are continuously being improved through extensive real-world data collection. A production-ready version is expected to be available by mid-2026. Volkswagen plans to integrate this technology into its upcoming vehicle platforms, and Bosch will also offer this scalable solution to other manufacturers around the world, helping expand automated driving technology globally.
This partnership showcases how focused collaboration and technological expertise can lead to innovative solutions developed in Europe.
Peter Bosch, CEO of CARIAD, commented “We’re proving that Germany’s automotive sector can lead in key digital driving technologies. With our talented developers and engineers, we are contributing to Europe’s digital independence. The aim is to make these convenient and safe systems available to as many drivers as possible—saving them time and enhancing their overall driving experience.”
Mathias Pillin, CTO of Bosch Mobility, added “To roll out these systems at scale, we need advanced tools and vast data. Collaboration is crucial. Through our partnership with CARIAD, we’re showing how to successfully bring these solutions to the road.”
Since the formation of the Automated Driving Alliance, advanced computing has played a central role—particularly in enabling features like object detection and environmental awareness. These capabilities now extend across the entire technology stack, from sensor integration (including cameras and radar) to high-level decision-making and control of the vehicle’s systems such as steering, brakes, and propulsion.
The new software architecture being developed allows all modules to work more efficiently and adaptively. Drawing inspiration from state-of-the-art systems used in other industries, the technology can interpret complex urban environments and anticipate the behavior of other road users using input from various sensors.
Bosch and CARIAD are implementing this approach in a modern engineering environment, paired with a future-proof hardware strategy, ensuring that the solution is scalable across all types of vehicles. A key strength of this collaboration is the end-to-end development of all components with proprietary source code, giving both partners complete control over performance, safety, privacy, and reliability.
The system is designed to ensure that decision-making remains transparent and traceable, with safeguards built in at every level. Additionally, the software is being prepared to support hybrid approaches that connect visual and contextual information—mimicking human decision processes. This could lead to even deeper understanding of complex traffic situations and better hazard detection.
To ensure the highest levels of safety and reliability, the performance of the system is being refined through massive data collection and rigorous validation. Bosch and CARIAD teams are testing driving functions globally—in Europe, Japan, and the U.S.—as part of their commitment to creating a system that can function effectively in diverse traffic conditions.
Their development process is highly iterative and data-driven. Updates to the software can be deployed to test vehicles multiple times per day, allowing engineers to rapidly evaluate new improvements. The technology is already being trialed in vehicles like the ID. Buzz and Audi Q8, with hundreds more test vehicles being added this year. These are equipped with advanced sensors to help collect high-quality data, especially from rare or challenging scenarios. With this comprehensive software solution in development, Bosch and CARIAD are paving the way for safer and more convenient assisted and automated driving in everyday life.
