Volkswagen and Microsoft have extended their collaboration over cloud-based technology to accelerate the development of autonomous driving (AD) technology.
The automaker's software wing, Car.Software is set to utilise Microsoft Azure - the US tech giant's cloud platform - to simplify the advancement of self-driving vehicles and implement it into cars.
Read more: Hyundai & Kia: Not holding autonomous EV talks with Apple
The current aim of self-driving vehicle technology is to primarily increase user safety, with added benefits including allegedly reducing congestion and making mobility even more comfortable.
Microsoft claims that petabytes of data detailing the day-to-day encounters of drivers must be simulated daily, covering everything from road and weather conditions to obstacle detection and driver behaviour.
Machine learning algorithms that learn from billions of real and simulated miles driven are key to connected driving experiences.
Volkswagen's involvement involves simplifying the developer process and supplying a database comprising real traffic data taken from encounter's from the group's own vehicles as well as simulation data gathered from Azure.
Both companies intend to enable technology partners to build tools and services that integrate with the platform to enhance the creation of AD and AS assistance systems.
Dirk Hilgenberg, CEO Car.Software said: “As we transform Volkswagen Group into a digital mobility provider, we are looking to continuously increase the efficiency of our software development. We are building the Automated Driving Platform with Microsoft to simplify our developers’ work through one scalable and data-based engineering environment.
"By combining our comprehensive expertise in the development of connected driving solutions with Microsoft’s cloud and software engineering know-how, we will accelerate the delivery of safe and comfortable mobility services."
Read more: Volkswagen and Microsoft create world's largest automotive cloud
In the past, VW's own brands have attempted to work on AD technology.
Microsoft and VW have been collaborating on digital and mobility services since 2018 and the group intends to invest €27 billion in a digitalisation effort to increase in-house software development.
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