Volkswagen’s AI Lab: Fueling the Future of Connected Vehicles

A new AI Company from the Volkswagen Group

(IN BRIEF) Volkswagen Group is spearheading the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in its vehicles to offer customers enhanced digital experiences. The company has unveiled the “AI Lab,” a global hub for innovation that will identify AI-based product ideas, collaborate with technology companies worldwide, and rapidly create digital prototypes for integration into Volkswagen Group brands. Key focus areas include advanced infotainment, navigation, speech recognition, and linking digital ecosystems within vehicles. The AI Lab aims to streamline collaboration, foster agility, and deliver added value to customers beyond their cars. Leading AI experts and high-level representatives from brand groups will drive innovation at the lab.

(PRESS RELEASE) WOLFSBURG, 31-Jan-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — In a forward-looking initiative, Volkswagen Group (ETR: VOW3), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of automobiles and commercial vehicles, is gearing up to revolutionize the future of mobility with artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital products. The company is placing significant emphasis on infotainment, navigation applications, advanced speech recognition, and comprehensive integration of digital ecosystems within its vehicles. This ambitious endeavor is realized through the establishment of the specialized “AI Lab,” which is set to become a globally connected center of excellence and innovation incubator.

Fostering a Global Hub for Innovation

The AI Lab will serve as a nucleus for generating fresh product concepts and fostering internal alignment within the Volkswagen Group. Moreover, it aims to foster collaborations with technology firms in Europe, China, and North America, streamlining interactions and leveraging the rapid pace of innovation in the AI sector. This approach will facilitate the swift development of digital prototypes, ready for integration into the Group’s various brands.

Strategic Vision for the AI Era

Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group and Porsche AG, highlights the strategic importance of this initiative, saying, “We want to offer our customers genuine added value with artificial intelligence. We aim to link external digital ecosystems with the vehicle, creating an even better product experience. Collaboration with technology companies is crucially important for us. In the future, we intend to simplify cooperation in organizational and cultural terms.”

Enhancing the Volkswagen Product Ecosystem

Volkswagen envisions the integration of AI-driven products that extend beyond the traditional confines of the vehicle. Key focus areas include high-performance speech recognition, seamless connections between users’ digital environments and their cars, as well as expanded vehicle functionalities. These encompass AI-optimized charging strategies for electric vehicles, predictive maintenance, and integration with external infrastructure such as smart homes.

AI Lab: The Incubator for Innovation

The AI Lab’s primary mission is to identify novel product ideas related to artificial intelligence worldwide. Collaborating with partners as needed, it will swiftly transform promising concepts into tangible prototypes. The AI Lab will operate with a team of AI experts, working closely with all brands within the Volkswagen Group. The Supervisory Board will feature prominent representatives from various brand groups, ensuring direct communication and expedited decision-making in the dynamic AI landscape.

A Streamlined and Agile Approach

Michael Steiner, Head of Research and Development of the Volkswagen Group and Member of the Executive Board, Research and Development of Porsche AG, emphasizes the lab’s agility, stating, “With our new ‘AI Lab’, we are combining technological expertise, flexibility and speed in collaboration with external partners. This will be crucial in the highly dynamic AI sector. We will pursue highly promising initiatives in the marketplace, together with partners where this is necessary, irrespective of existing arrangements and other links in series production.” Volkswagen is actively exploring partnerships with international tech companies for its pioneering AI-driven initiatives.

Leadership Team for the Future

The AI Lab’s Board of Management will be led by Carsten Helbing as CEO and Carmen Schmidt as CLO & CBO. Accomplished experts in artificial intelligence will oversee technical management roles. The Supervisory Board will include members from the Boards of Management of Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche brands, fostering a high-level strategic vision for AI-driven innovation.

Volkswagen’s AI Lab represents a significant step forward in the company’s commitment to delivering groundbreaking AI-powered products and services that redefine the future of mobility.

Media contact:

Jonas Kulawik
Corporate Communications Spokesperson Product & Technology, Digitalization
+49 (0) 152 2945 2616 jonas.alexander.kulawik@volkswagen.de

SOURCE: Volkswagen Group