The Volkswagen Group has announced plans to optimize driver assistance systems and automated driving functions using real-world sensor and image data from customer vehicles. This initiative, starting in the fourth quarter of 2024 with Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Audi brands, aims to enhance traffic safety for all road users. Customers will benefit from continuous software updates that improve these systems, ensuring a safer and more comfortable driving experience.
The initiative requires customer consent, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. Data collection will be triggered only in specific scenarios, such as emergency braking or evasive maneuvers, with no continuous transfer. CARIAD, Volkswagen’s software company, provides the secure infrastructure for this data transfer.
The data, which includes camera images, environmental sensor data, and driving parameters, will help developers refine systems like lane guidance and hazard detection. This real-world data is essential for improving driving functions beyond controlled test environments, making driving safer for both vehicles and surrounding road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
