Following the signing of a strategic cooperation in January 2023 by BMW and Valeo for ADAS domain controllers, sensors and software for the German auto maker’s Neue Klasse platform, the companies have announced they are also to co-develop a next-generation parking user experience for customers on private grounds and parking facilities.
The two companies aim to deliver an array of functions, from Automated Maneuver Assistance to Level 4 Automated Valet Parking, that use only the technology and sensors within the car. Infrastructure-based services will also be developed by the partnership to enable fully automated parking and charging services in certain parking facilities and in other areas.
The software functions are based on the current automated parking software stack first launched on the BMW iX in 2021. For the next-generation solution, the pair will introduce a more powerful computing platform which hosts the jointly developed algorithms.
“This joint development is an important milestone for the BMW Group with regard to our next generation of automated driving and parking,” said Nicolai Martin, senior vice president driving experience, BMW Group. “With scalable L4 parking experiences, we confirm and strengthen our leading position in this domain.
“To create truly amazing end user functions, state-of-the art software and hardware is needed in all aspects of the digital value chain, as well as the power of a fleet data ecosystem. The BMW Group is excited to further extend its long-lasting partnership with Valeo with this strategic cooperation. We aim to continue delivering world-class driving and parking experiences to our customers.”
“We are proud of the long-term cooperation between the BMW Group and Valeo. The co-development and deployment of Automated Parking solutions will permit Level 4 driverless operation in BMW’s upcoming series production vehicles,” said Marc Vrecko, president of Valeo’s comfort and driving assistance systems business group. ”Building on already commercialized stack components, this cooperation will leverage our know-how and technologies, such as advanced AI-based computer vision algorithms, and enable us to extend our portfolio to L4 functions as well as into cloud services.
“Other auto makers will be able to join this platform, with BMW once again setting the standard for the most intuitive and pleasant user experience that its customers rightly expect.”
