WeRide, a global leading Level 4 autonomous driving technology company, announced the strategic investment received from Bosch, one of the leading automotive suppliers. The two parties have signed a strategic cooperation agreement and will jointly develop autonomous driving (AD) software. This cooperation will accelerate the process of developing Bosch China’s advanced driving solution, moving SAE Level 2-3 AD towards mass production.
WeRide ONE is a set of universal software that provides a high level of flexibility to achieve autonomous driving capabilities from SAE Level 2 to 4. Based on WeRide ONE and the advanced driving solution from Bosch China, the two parties will jointly develop data-driven intelligent driving software to provide OEM customers in the Chinese market with faster and better service and deliver SAE Level 2-3 advanced intelligent driving experiences covering various scenarios such as urban, highway, and elevated roads in China earlier.
Developed by Bosch Cross-Domain Computing Solutions China, the advanced driving solution is an intelligent driving system solution tailored for the Chinese market which comprises key technical elements such as centralized computing platforms, sensors, software applications, and cloud services. It has been designed with a future-proof scalable architecture. The solution is fully equipped with system-level safety designs encompassing functional safety, cyber security, and safety of the intended functionality, and sets out rigorous requirements for both software and hardware development processes, as well as the verification and release of systems.
Adhering to the long-term development strategy of "Local for Local", Bosch China continues to invest and innovate locally in key technical areas of automotive electronics and software. Together with WeRide, Bosch is set to make every intelligent driving powered by Bosch China’s advanced driving solution safer and more trustworthy.
WeRide’s AD technology has been verified with over 11 million kilometers of rigorous AD test drive on open roads. WeRide’s innovative Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving fleets comprise Robotaxi, Mini Robobus, Robovan and Robo Street Sweeper. The four products are tested and operated day and night, traveling everywhere from central business districts (CBDs) to urban villages, from tunnels to highways, and in sunny, rainy, and snowy weather conditions. Through years of R&D and application of L4 AD technology, WeRide is now ready to develop and apply L2 and above AD technology in this new strategic cooperation. The highly flexible use of WeRide ONE, the universal software in WeRide’s AD solutions will enable the vehicles to achieve autonomous driving from L2 to L4.
"With the increased adoption of intelligent driving technologies in new vehicles, advanced driving solutions are shaping up to be the next blue ocean for the industry. Bosch has built deep know-how in engineering R&D and technical services in this field, along with its deep-rooted local presence and experience in volume production. WeRide brings to the table its innovative capabilities in autonomous driving technology R&D, product innovation, and operation services. The cooperation between the two parties is set to accelerate the volume production of advanced intelligent driving solutions, and deliver a safer, more comfortable, and smarter driving experience in China," said Yin Li, the president of Bosch Cross-Domain Computing Solutions, China.
Tony Han, founder and CEO of WeRide, said: "WeRide is always devoted to developing safe, cutting-edge and commercially viable autonomous driving solutions with the aim of empowering upstream and downstream ecosystems of the industry. Backed by over a century of continuous innovation, Bosch is a global leader in automotive technologies with profound expertise, market insight, and invaluable customer relations. WeRide and Bosch are both well positioned in this joint effort to drive the development and adoption of advanced intelligent driving technologies in China while lead the world in creating the best intelligent driving products."
Developing from L4 autonomous driving mobility to logistics and environmental services market, and evolving further into advanced driving solutions, WeRide will continue to advance towards mass production and commercialization of autonomous driving with strategic partners like Bosch in the future.
