German car parts maker Bosch is investing in Chinese Level 4 tech company WeRide. The two companies plan to jointly develop autonomous driving (AD) software. The cooperation will accelerate development of Bosch China’s advanced driving solution, moving SAE Level 2-3 AD towards mass production.

WeRide ONE software provides 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 SAE Level 2-3 advanced intelligent driving experiences covering various scenarios such as urban, highway, and elevated roads in China.

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 centralised 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 kilometres of AD test drive on open roads. WeRide’s Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving fleets comprise Robotaxi, Mini Robobus, Robovan and Robo Street Sweeper. The four products have been tested in central business districts (CBDs), urban villages, tunnels and highways, and in sunny, rainy, and snowy weather conditions.

“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 Li Yin, 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.”