Volkswagen and Ford Join Forces for Autonomous Driving Innovation

Volkswagen and Ford Join Forces for Autonomous Driving Innovation

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Collaboration with Ford
  3. Joint Investment in Argo AI
  4. Win-Win Situation
  5. Bringing Smart People Together
  6. Evaluating Options for Autonomous Driving
  7. Significance of the STS Platform
  8. Reducing CO2 Emissions
  9. The Role of Electric Drive
  10. Expanding the Electrification Program
  11. The MEB Platform
  12. Scaling E-Mobility with Partners
  13. Partnership with Ford on the MEB Platform
  14. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to this article where we will discuss the exciting collaboration between Volkswagen and Ford that aims to revolutionize the automotive industry. With a joint investment in Argo AI, the two companies are ready to explore the possibilities of self-driving technology and electric mobility. This partnership will not only bring together the expertise of both manufacturers but also contribute towards reducing CO2 emissions in the transportation sector. In this article, we will Delve into the details of this collaboration and the significant role it plays in shaping the future of mobility.

Collaboration with Ford

Volkswagen's collaboration with Ford marks a significant milestone in the automotive industry. The two giants have joined forces to explore the potential of self-driving technology and electric mobility. This collaboration goes beyond traditional partnerships, as it brings together the smartest minds in the field of autonomous driving. Software and hardware experts from both companies will work side by side to overcome the challenges in developing a safely deployable autonomous vehicle. Additionally, this collaboration enables Volkswagen and Ford to leverage each other's vehicle manufacturing expertise, creating a win-win situation for both companies.

Joint Investment in Argo AI

One of the cornerstones of this collaboration is the joint investment in Argo AI. Argo AI is a leading company in the development of self-driving technology, and the investment by Volkswagen and Ford will provide them with a one-of-a-kind self-driving system. This technology will serve as the foundation for designing and manufacturing self-driving cars by both Volkswagen and Ford. By joining forces with Argo AI, Volkswagen and Ford gain unparalleled access to cutting-edge technology, positioning themselves at the forefront of the autonomous driving industry.

Win-Win Situation

The collaboration between Volkswagen, Ford, and Argo AI creates a win-win situation for all parties involved. Volkswagen and Ford can share significant research and development costs, which are estimated to be in the triple-digit million-dollar range for each company. This cost-sharing approach enables them to accelerate their speed to market in developing self-driving vehicles. On the other HAND, Argo AI benefits from the resources and expertise of two of the world's largest automakers. Together, they aim to make the Argo AI platform a global industry standard, setting new benchmarks in autonomous driving technology.

Bringing Smart People Together

The collaboration between Volkswagen and Ford brings together some of the smartest people in the field of autonomous driving. Software and hardware experts from both companies work side by side to tackle the challenges associated with developing a safely deployable autonomous vehicle. The combined knowledge and experience of these experts Create a powerhouse of innovation, driving the development of advanced self-driving technology.

Evaluating Options for Autonomous Driving

Before joining forces with Argo AI, Volkswagen thoroughly evaluated all options for its approach towards autonomous driving. The company sought a solution that would not only meet their technological requirements but also provide a strategic AdVantage in the market. By Teaming up with Argo AI, Volkswagen found the best solution to expedite their autonomous driving ambitions. This strategic partnership allows them to explore self-driving technology while simultaneously sharing the significant costs associated with research and development.

Significance of the STS Platform

The joint investment in Argo AI also grants Volkswagen and Ford access to the world's best self-driving system (STS) platform. This platform will serve as the foundation for designing and manufacturing self-driving vehicles. Volkswagen, in particular, sees immense value in the STS platform, as it allows them to use the cutting-edge technology developed by Argo AI. Building on this platform, Volkswagen aims to commercialize self-driving vehicles in the early 2020s. By doing so, they will cement the Argo AI platform as a global industry standard, facilitating the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles.

Reducing CO2 Emissions

One of the key objectives of this collaboration is to reduce CO2 emissions in the transportation sector. Currently, around 14% of global CO2 emissions stem from the transport sector, with passenger cars being a significant contributor. Volkswagen recognizes the need to address this issue and aims to reduce CO2 emissions from their fleet to zero. By embracing autonomous driving technology and electric mobility, Volkswagen strives to make a substantial difference in reducing global CO2 emissions.

The Role of Electric Drive

Electric drive plays a pivotal role in Volkswagen's strategy to achieve zero CO2 emissions. The company believes that electric vehicles offer the most efficient and effective means of cutting CO2 emissions in road traffic. An electric car, across its entire lifecycle, including manufacturing and battery production, consumes around 400 watt-hours per kilometer. This energy consumption is considerably lower than alternative drives such as fuel cells or synthetic fuels. While these alternative drives may gain importance in the medium to long term for specific vehicle segments, Volkswagen does not foresee their widespread market penetration until the middle of the next decade.

Expanding the Electrification Program

To realize their vision of sustainable mobility, Volkswagen is making enormous efforts to expand their already approved e-mobility transformation program. The program entails a significant investment of 30 million euros and aims to make electric cars account for over 40% of Volkswagen's sales in Europe by 2030. By investing in the development of e-mobility technologies, Volkswagen aims to stay ahead of increasingly strict regulations on CO2 emissions. This proactive approach allows them to offer electric vehicles at attractive prices while ensuring compliance with global emission targets.

The MEB Platform

Volkswagen's commitment to the electrification of mobility is exemplified by the development of the Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform. This dedicated modular toolkit system is tailor-made for the needs of electric vehicles. Designed as an all-electric platform from the ground up, the MEB platform takes full advantage of the latest technologies, offering scalability, versatility, and a range exceeding 550 kilometers (340 miles) according to the WLTP standard. The MEB platform opens up possibilities for a wide range of vehicle types, from small city cars to large limousines and even electrically-powered camper vans. As more cars are manufactured using the MEB platform, economies of Scale kick in, resulting in cost savings and making electric vehicles more affordable for consumers.

Scaling E-Mobility with Partners

Recognizing the need for rapid scaling of e-mobility, Volkswagen has opened up the MEB platform to partners. This strategic move allows them to collaborate with other manufacturers and suppliers to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. By sharing the MEB platform, Volkswagen aims to create a broader global adoption of electric vehicles, leading to sustainable and profitable growth. Ford, being the first partner to utilize the MEB platform for high-volume European zero-emission vehicle production, is a testament to the success of this approach.

Partnership with Ford on the MEB Platform

Volkswagen and Ford's partnership on the MEB platform signifies a significant milestone for both companies. Ford's decision to adopt the MEB platform for high-volume European zero-emission vehicle production demonstrates confidence in the platform's capabilities. Under the agreement, Volkswagen will supply 600,000 MEB platform systems, including battery packs and structural parts, to Ford. Further discussions are ongoing for an all-new supply agreement, which has the potential to further increase the supply of MEB platforms. This collaboration not only drives down production costs but also paves the way for electric vehicles to become more affordable and accessible to a broader market. The successful implementation of this partnership holds great potential for future endeavors within the automotive industry.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored the collaboration between Volkswagen and Ford, and how it is set to reshape the future of mobility. By joining forces, the two companies aim to leverage self-driving technology and electric mobility to drive progress and reduce CO2 emissions. The joint investment in Argo AI provides them with access to cutting-edge self-driving system technology, while the MEB platform serves as the foundation for the production of electric vehicles. The partnership between Volkswagen and Ford opens up new possibilities in the automotive industry and has the potential to create a global industry standard for autonomous driving. As the world moves towards a more sustainable and electrified future, Volkswagen and Ford are at the forefront, leading the way with their innovative and collaborative approach.

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