Volkswagen and Microsoft collaborate on autonomous driving tech

Two firms will build a cloud-based Automated Driving Platform on Microsoft Azure

Volkswagen and Microsoft have extended their cloud-based technology partnership to jointly develop autonomous driving systems. 

The German car maker's software division, Car.Software, will make use of the US giant's cloud-based platform, Microsoft Azure, with the aim of simplifying the development of self-driving tech and more quickly integrating it into its cars. 

"As we look to transform Volkswagen Group into a digital mobility provider, we are looking to continuously increase the efficiency of our software development," said Car.Software CEO Dirk Hilgenberg. 

*How Volkswagen is tackling new software challenges*

"We are building the Automated Driving Platform with Microsoft to simplify our developers' work through one scalable and data-based engineering environment," he said. "By combining our comprehensive expertise in the development of connected driving solutions with Microsoftft's cloud and software engineering know-how, we will accelerate the delivery of safe and comfortable mobility services."

In previous years, the VW Group's brands have worked separately on self-driving technology. Last year, the firm consolidated much of those operations into a subsidiary, but now all brands can work from one Microsoft system. 

The exercise will "simplify the developer experience" and use all the data gleaned from self-driving prototypes to form one database for all brands. 

Microsoft and VW have collaborated on digital services and mobility offerings since 2018. The group itself intends to invest €27 billion (£23.6bn) in 'digitalisation' and bring more software development in-house. 

*READ MORE:*

*Volkswagen and Ford firm up ambitious alliance plans*

*Fully autonomous Volkswagen vehicles due on roads by 2021*

*Volkswagen Project Trinity revealed as next electric flagship*