Wayve, Stellantis and NVIDIA have announced a collaboration with the French government to advance autonomous vehicle development and deployment in France, with the longer-term goal of supporting wider adoption across the European Union. Announced at the Assises du Véhicule Autonome, the initiative combines AI software, vehicle engineering and computing technologies to develop a foundation for autonomous mobility.
Partners Combine AI, Computing and Vehicle Platforms
The collaboration brings together Stellantis’ L4-Ready Platforms and vehicle engineering and manufacturing capabilities with Wayve’s AI Driver technology. The system will integrate NVIDIA Halos OS and use NVIDIA’s Hyperion computing and sensor architecture.
The partners aim to establish an ecosystem spanning the autonomous vehicle supply chain, from AI computing hardware to vehicle production and deployment. France will serve as a central location for the initiative, supported by its automotive engineering base and growing AI sector.
The collaboration will also involve local French partners, including engagement with trade unions, city authorities and mobility stakeholders. The companies said the approach is intended to support a safe and responsible transition to autonomous transportation while considering the needs of workers, communities and passengers.
French Government Supports Autonomous Vehicle Development
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said the government intends to adapt its regulatory framework to accelerate autonomous vehicle development while maintaining safety and data sovereignty requirements.
“France is committed to adapting its regulatory framework to accelerate the development of autonomous vehicles while maintaining strict safety and data sovereignty requirements.”
The collaboration is intended to help move autonomous driving technology beyond testing toward real-world deployment. Wayve Vice President of Autonomous Mobility and Operations Kaity Fischer said working with the French government and industry partners would help shape how the technology is introduced across France and the wider EU.
Stellantis also identified France as a key center for its engineering and technology development. The automaker previously demonstrated supervised hands-free driving on development versions of the Fiat 500e and Maserati Grecale in partnership with Wayve, with both vehicles progressing from technology integration to road testing in less than four weeks.
Wayve Expands Its European Automotive Partnerships
The announcement builds on Wayve’s growing relationships with automakers and mobility providers. Volkswagen has reportedly selected the British AI startup as a technology partner for future autonomous driving systems following an internal evaluation of competing providers, according to a report by Der Spiegel.
In London, Wayve and Uber launched an autonomous ride service in September, allowing passengers to book vehicles equipped with Wayve’s AI driving technology through the Uber app. The service initially operates with safety drivers onboard as preparations continue for fully driverless operations.
Building a European Autonomous Mobility Ecosystem
NVIDIA Vice President of Automotive Ali Kani said combining the company’s computing platform with Wayve’s AI technology and Stellantis’ automotive expertise could provide a foundation for autonomous mobility across Europe.
The latest collaboration reflects efforts to bring together AI developers, automakers, technology suppliers and governments to address the technical and regulatory requirements of autonomous driving. Its progress will depend on continued development, safety validation, regulatory approval and cooperation with local transportation stakeholders.