Volkswagen has opened a new Automotive Software Campus in Berlin, consolidating part of the workforce from its software subsidiary Cariad into a single location as the company continues to restructure its software operations.
The new facility brings together around 1,000 software and artificial intelligence specialists who were previously based across seven locations. According to Volkswagen, the campus will focus on developing AI technologies for software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
AI Development Hub
The Berlin campus will support the development of technologies ranging from automated driving systems to AI-powered in-vehicle assistants.
Among the projects under development are the CARIAD-ADAS-Stack, an artificial intelligence-based driver assistance platform intended for future Volkswagen Group vehicles, and the CARIAD Digital Assistant, an AI-powered voice assistant designed to understand driver preferences and assist with functions such as route planning.
Volkswagen said the first version of the ADAS platform is planned for the upcoming VW ID. EVERY1, while the Voice Pilot digital assistant is expected to debut in the current model year of the Porsche Macan and Cayenne Electric before expanding to additional Volkswagen Group brands.
Volkswagen Group Chief Executive Officer Oliver Blume said:
“For the Volkswagen Group it is clear: The AI-defined vehicle stands for the next generation of mobility. We are driving this development forward consistently – with CARIAD, our strong brands and leading partners.”
“At the Automotive Software Campus in Berlin, technology is being created that makes driving even safer, more comfortable and more attractive.”
Part of Cariad’s Restructuring
The new campus forms part of a broader restructuring of Cariad, which was established in 2020 to develop software platforms for Volkswagen Group vehicles.
Following delays and software-related challenges affecting vehicle programmes, Volkswagen revised Cariad’s role under its current strategy.
The company has since established software partnerships with Rivian and Xpeng while repositioning Cariad to focus on artificial intelligence, software integration, automated driving, infotainment systems and cloud services.
According to Volkswagen, Cariad now operates as a technology organisation focused on artificial intelligence and software coordination across the group.
Cariad Chief Executive Officer Peter Bosch said:
“The car of tomorrow speaks, hears and drives itself. At the Automotive Software Campus, we bring the senses and the brain for this to life – from environment perception to intelligent interaction with the human in the vehicle.”
“For this, we develop scalable AI platforms and ensure a seamless, safe and reliable integration of AI applications in the vehicle.”
Global Software Network
The Berlin facility becomes part of Cariad’s global software development network, which includes engineering centres in Germany, the United States, China, Estonia and India.
The company currently employs around 5,000 people worldwide, down from more than 6,000 at its peak, following restructuring measures introduced since 2023.
Volkswagen said Cariad remains responsible for maintaining existing software platforms while also integrating software technologies developed through its partnerships with Rivian and Xpeng.
The company plans to support three software-defined vehicle architectures in future models: its internally developed Global Architecture, SDV East created through the Xpeng partnership, and SDV West developed jointly with Rivian.
