New Professorship: Volkswagen Group and Technische Universität Braunschweig Strengthen Research on AI and Mobility
professorship focusing on “AI Methods in Product Development”New professorship is intended to leverage full range of artificial intelligence in mobility research and provide impulses for new AI‑based development processesGoal is to accelerate transfer of scientific findings into industrial practice
Volkswagen Group and Technische Universität (TU) Braunschweig are establishing a new professorship for “AI Methods in Product Development”. The goal of the partnership is to further expand top level research in the mobility sector and accelerate the transfer of scientific knowledge into industrial practice.
The professorship aims to tap into the full spectrum of artificial intelligence within mobility research – from virtual product development and mechatronic systems to autonomous driving functions and the analysis of real world vehicle usage data. In doing so, it strengthens research at the interfaces of modern mobility systems and provides impulses for new AI based development processes
Auto China 2026: Volkswagen Group Unveils Record Product Offensive and Agentic AI Roadmap for China
on the locally developed China Electronic Architecture (CEA) with CARIZON’s ADAS solution; JETTA’s all-electric show car JETTA X for the smart entry segment; and the exterior reveal of China exclusive AUDI brand’s second serial production car, the E7X. “Agentic AI for all” roadmap: From 2026, vehicles based on Volkswagen’s China Electronic Architecture will feature onboard AI Agents enabling highly intuitive, human-like interaction between vehicle and customer while ensuring robust personal data protection. From 2027, the next-generation CEA 2.0 will integrate intelligent driving and cockpit control into a unified system across all powertrain types empowered by Agentic AI, marking the Volkswagen Group’s next step towards the AI-Defined-Vehicle era in China.
China is a key driver of our transformation and a vital force behind our global ambitions. The products and technologies we are unveiling at Auto China 2026 are a striking testament to the strength of our comprehensive localization
Boosting innovation, reshaping mobility: Volkswagen Group invests in AI
Up to one billion euros in investments planned by 2030 for AI-driven vehicle development, industrial applications, and high-performance IT infrastructure.Efficiency gains and cost avoidance opportunities of up to four billion euros expected by 2035.AI is set to significantly accelerate development processes for new vehicle models and technologies.Expansion of European infrastructure: Volkswagen is strengthening its digital resilience against external risks and influences.Hauke Stars, Member of the Board of Management for IT at Volkswagen Group: “AI is our key to greater speed, quality, and competitiveness. Our ambition: No process without AI.”
Volkswagen Group intends to invest up to one billion euros in the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030 as part of its existing investment planning. The company announced this during the IAA Mobility trade fair. The focus is on AI-supported vehicle development, industrial applications, and the expansion of high-performance IT infrastructures
TRATON starts cooperation on cybersecurity and AI with RISE
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) Long term cooperation intended Initial focus on cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI)TRATON COO Christian Levin: “Cooperation with RISE will foster our development of new competences.”Scania and TRATON will jointly drive the cooperation
TRATON and the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) will start a long-term cooperation that will initially focus on cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI). TRATON and RISE have therefore signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will serve as a platform for a long-term and strategic relationship. As the first step, the cooperation will concentrate on cybersecurity and AI, but the project portfolio will be flexible over time. “Innovation is an important pillar of our Global Champion Strategy. The cooperation with RISE will foster our development of new competences on very important technologies,” says Christian Levin, TRATON Board member responsible
Artificial Intelligence in the Automotive Industry
artificial intelligence (AI) can improve the result so that we can offer our customers even more attractive products and organize our work more efficiently.
Wherever we see potential, we utilize artificial intelligence in a targeted manner. Scalable, responsible and with clear industrial benefits. Our ambition: AI everywhere, in every process. Hauke Stars
The value of artificial intelligence – no process without AI For us, AI is a strategic driver on the road to the future of the automotive industry. Whether in autonomous driving or in quality assurance, in the supply chain or in administrative work: We are bringing artificial intelligence into all areas. In this way, we are accelerating development cycles, automating processes and promoting new ideas – including in design and material construction. This is how we are actively shaping the future of the automotive industry.
Artificial intelligence in practice – more than 1,200 AI applications in use Over 1,200 AI applications are already
How Volkswagen is accelerating innovation in vehicle development
development across the Group. By integrating AI into core engineering processes, development cycles can be shortened while improving efficiency and quality.
The role of AI in engineering and development
Artificial intelligence is increasingly present everywhere – including at Volkswagen. What exactly are you doing with this technology?
Development is highly complex, interconnected and driven by efficiency – which is why it benefits particularly strongly from AI. Our goal is to apply AI in product development wherever it can make us faster and better today. In 2025 alone, more than 100 AI-based processes were put into productive use within Technical Development. Across the Group, there are over 1,400 applications. AI supports us in development, testing, simulation and validation – precisely in areas that have traditionally required significant time and resources.
Isn’t this something other companies are doing as well?
Most companies are working on AI today. The difference lies in how consistently
“In China, for China”: Four world premieres and the latest AI-powered systems make their debut at the Volkswagen Group Night in Beijing
With its largest-ever product campaign for electric vehicles, the Volkswagen Group is consistently implementing its “In China, for China” strategy—starting with “Auto China 2026” in Beijing.Under the motto “Rise Up”, the Volkswagen Group will present ten models from four brands at its Media Night on April 21, while also giving a preview of how AI-powered systems will help shape the future of mobility.Four world premieres at the Group Media Night: The JETTA brand is unveiling its first show car for smart electric mobility in the entry-level segment; Volkswagen brand is introducing its second ID. UNYX model developed as part of its partnership with XPENG; FAW-Volkswagen will unveil its first all-electric model of the ID. AURA series based on the China Electronic Architecture (CEA). In addition, AUDI debuts the exterior of its second series production model, the AUDI E7X, designed to reach new customer groups.
The Volkswagen Group is consistently
A visit to Volkswagen's AI experts: "Machines that can think are only for the movies"
working on the development of self-learning programs. In future, their development work could provide better support for their colleagues at the office and factory in many corporate processes. However, one thing is important for the Volkswagen specialists: if you are looking for machines that can think, you will find them in Hollywood rather than in the Data Lab.
"Machines that can think are only for the movies. They have nothing to do with our work," says Prof. Dr. Patrick van der Smagt, Head of AI Research at the Data Lab. "We develop algorithms that independently learn how to detect and predict specific patterns and laws so that optimum decisions can be made." The key is machine learning or, to put it in simple terms, the ability of a program to link data, analyze interconnections and make predictions. However, van der Smagt and his team are going considerably further. Their work is based on deep neural networks. For neural networks of this type, the Data Lab specialists combine information
