Volkswagen unveils its autonomous driving technology at the Shanghai Auto Show

In a world where even your toaster seems to have more skills than you behind the wheel, Volkswagen finally decides to give us a glimpse of its autonomous future. At the Shanghai Auto Show, the German brand didn't hold back: a level 2++ driving assistance system developed expressly for China, which promises to turn your journeys into experiences where simply placing your hands on the wheel could become a luxury. A technology that will make its debut as early as 2025 and then become widespread in compact cars in 2026, all the while selling dreams without forgetting economic realities.

Volkswagen: a leap in the fight against boredom behind the wheel thanks to autonomous driving

It must be said that after watching Tesla, Nissan, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Hyundai, Toyota, and even Renault compete in this crazy race towards the smart car, Volkswagen had been somewhat discreet. But now, the German giant is finally revving up its digital engine and playing its trump card in a Chinese market hungry for technology. This new generation of ADAS, locally installed "In China, for China", is designed to tackle both the chaotic ballet of urban traffic and the vast highways of the country.

A tailor-made driving assistance system soon accessible to all

Be careful, we are not talking about cars that drive themselves without supervision, let’s be clear. Level 2++ remains a mixed game: the vehicle takes commands, especially in urban conditions, but the driver must always be ready to react. Undoubtedly, driving enthusiasts will appreciate this mixed cocktail that promises to spare the driver's ego while offering a hint of freedom.

This system is expected to debut first in 2025 on an exclusive Chinese model and then extend to compact CMP platforms as early as 2026. This masterstroke means that advanced assisted driving, once reserved for high-end models packed with gadgets, will soon be within reach of the average consumer. To put this into perspective, already a quarter of cars sold in China are equipped — and Volkswagen aims for nothing less than 80% by 2030 with a notable increase in levels 2+ and 2++.

Toward a future where the car does almost everything by itself

The true holy grail remains, of course, level 3. Imagine a car that, in complex situations, gently tells you to put your feet up without compromising your safety. We're not far off, no need to scream in ecstasy. Carizon, the joint venture between Cariad (Volkswagen's software arm) and Horizon Robotics, is already testing its "Urban Navigate on Autopilot" (NoA) version planned for 2026.

With over 500 software experts working in Beijing and Shanghai, this project operates on a platform called Gaia. This AI star consumes up to two terabytes of data per day to refine its responses, which is as reassuring as it is surprising when you think that some of us struggle to manage our email inboxes.

China's perspective and the challenge of technological localization

The CEO of Volkswagen Group China, Ralf Brandstätter, boasts of development "at Chinese speed", with quality and safety standards that leave behind many classic hesitations. No more back-and-forths between Germany and China, welcome to a robust local ecosystem. Meanwhile, Tesla continues to make headlines with its tests punctuated by setbacks, while BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Hyundai, Toyota, and Renault each attempt to keep their heads above water in this high-tech tide.

And this is how Volkswagen, without making noise, is preparing to roll out on the red carpet of Shanghai an innovation that has nothing to envy from the louder bursts of its American or South Korean competitors. The question remains whether all this will lead to drivers who are lazier than smart — but hey, after all, you no longer have to grit your teeth at every traffic jam.

Source: fr.motor1.com

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