February 11, 2021 - 16:05 AMT
Volkswagen teams up with Microsoft on automated cars

Volkswagen Group is enlisting Microsoft’s help to speed up the development of autonomous driving systems, the company announced, according to Engadget.

It has already worked for several years with Microsoft on cloud computing for connected cars, but now it will expand that to autonomous driving. The idea is that Volkswagen will combine its expertise in self-driving systems with Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing to create what it calls the Automated Driving Platform (ADP).

Like other automakers, VW has big plans to branch into digital mobility for ride-sharing, micro-mobility, short-term rentals and more. To make that happen, it needs to develop both connected car and autonomous driving tech. Since last year, VW has been developing its own VW.OS operating system to connect cars via its Car.Software unit. As with other automakers, however, its full self-driving systems still seem far away.