[TT97]

VW, Microsoft partner to develop self-driving car software

The deal will make it easier to deploy over-the-air software updates to cars, a practice that set Tesla apart from rivals, and will put VW Group brands including Audi and Porsche on a common cloud provider.

europe.autonews.com

VW's new software division will build a cloud-based platform with Microsoft that will help simplify development processes and allow faster integration into its vehicle fleet, the automaker said Thursday in a statement.

 

[majorgearhead]

Do you think this will benefit our current gen ID.4’s coming out or is this for future vehicles?

I am a long time non-Tesla EV driver and the one thing that manufactures never seem to get is that customers love the OTA updates. It adds to the confidence of the purchase of the car. Ford seems to understand this and is committed to OTA with the Mach-E and future vehicles. It’s good to see VW may have the same vision.

 

[TT97]

Do you think this will benefit our current gen ID.4’s coming out or is this for future vehicles?

I am a long time non-Tesla EV driver and the one thing that manufactures never seem to get is that customers love the OTA updates. It adds to the confidence of the purchase of the car. Ford seems to understand this and is committed to OTA with the Mach-E and future vehicles. It’s good to see VW may have the same vision.

The Microsoft integration is starting in 2022, it's unclear if Microsoft will provide OTA for older models, however, all the ID vehicles will have OTA.

Currently, the ID.3s in Europe do not have OTA but the feature will be added in software version 2.1 (installing 2.1 will need to be done at a dealer). The thinking is that the ID.4 in the U.S. will not be released until 2.1 is preinstalled which will allow OTA.