Volkswagen Group’s software subsidiary, CARIAD, has announced a significant milestone in its partnership with Chinese smartphone manufacturer Vivo, unveiling a joint lab aimed at enhancing the connectivity between smartphones and smart cars. The lab is a pivotal component of their long-term collaboration, with the ultimate goal of delivering a seamless and efficient digital mobility experience to consumers.
CARIAD China, the software company’s first subsidiary outside of Europe, is leading this venture, operating from its Research and Development (R&D) center, known as Forward! Lab. The collaboration will primarily focus on the development of intelligent connected vehicle-related software and hardware, telematics service platforms, and smart mobility solutions.
The Chinese subsidiary of CARIAD has a specific mission – to provide the Volkswagen Group with localized software products and digital services tailored to the Chinese market. This strategic move is a response to the strong demand among Chinese car buyers for cutting-edge onboard experiences.
Sun Wei, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of CARIAD China, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with Vivo, highlighting its potential to bolster the company’s independent research and development capabilities in the realm of smart connectivity. The collaboration is expected to facilitate the integration of CARIAD’s innovations into the local Chinese digital ecosystem seamlessly.
Vivo, as a prominent smartphone manufacturer, has already made substantial inroads into the automotive sector. The company’s in-car system has already reached an impressive 160 million smartphone users, as revealed by Zhou Wei, the Vice President of Vivo. Zhou emphasized Vivo’s commitment to open and collaborative approaches in the industry, stating, “We firmly believe that ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ Vivo is committed to contributing to the progress and development of the entire industry with an open and collaborative ecological mindset.”
The joint lab created by CARIAD and Vivo is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the seamless connectivity between smartphones and smart cars, potentially setting new standards for digital mobility experiences for consumers. This collaboration signifies a significant step forward in Volkswagen’s pursuit of innovative onboard experiences tailored to the Chinese market.
