Volkswagen Group’s software subsidiary, Cariad, has officially inaugurated its joint venture with Chinese AI chip company Horizon Robotics, as announced a year ago. The collaboration, named Carizon, signifies a strategic partnership aimed at developing Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) solutions by merging Horizon Robotics’ hardware and software capabilities with Cariad’s expertise in vehicle and systems integration.
Carizon, headquartered in Beijing, has ambitious plans to recruit over 300 experts by the end of 2023, according to Horizon Robotics. Focusing on the development of self-driving solutions, the joint venture will utilize Horizon Robotics’ Journey family of chips. These solutions are intended for incorporation into Volkswagen’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) models in China.
The partnership was formalized following a comprehensive agreement disclosed in 2022, emphasizing the integration of hardware and software capabilities for ADAS solutions. Horizon Robotics had previously announced on October 13, 2022, that Cariad would invest approximately €2.4 billion for a 60% stake in the joint venture.
Carizon’s establishment aligns with the growing emphasis on autonomous driving technology, reflecting the commitment of both companies to advancing the field. Reports had surfaced earlier about former Huawei self-driving business veteran Su Jing joining the joint venture. However, recent updates indicate that Su has opted to lead high-level smart driving projects, including the Journey 6 project, within Horizon Robotics.
Notably, Horizon Robotics unveiled the Journey 6 chip at the Guangzhou auto show in late November, boasting a computing power of 560 Tops—significantly higher than the 128 Tops featured in the Journey 5. The collaboration between Cariad and Horizon Robotics aims to contribute to the evolution of intelligent driving solutions in the automotive industry.
