Volkswagen will develop computer chips in-house in the future

In addition to the software for self-driving cars, Volkswagen also wants to develop the necessary high-performance chips itself. "In order to achieve optimal performance with the high demands in the car, software and hardware must come from a single source," said CEO Herbert Diess of the "Handelsblatt". The company's own software subsidiary Cariad should develop the ability to do so. Apple and Tesla have more expertise in semiconductors, said Diess. In order to come on an equal footing with them, the car company wants to use the knowledge of the tech companies Mobileye and Nvidia, the newspaper reported. The group does not want to manufacture semiconductors itself, but determine their design and technical layout and, if possible, own the patents. Volkswagen is already working with the Intel subsidiary Mobileye, which specializes in camera systems for robot cars. Experts suspect that the partnership could be expanded. This fits the news that, according to an insider, Intel boss Pat Gelsinger was in Wolfsburg on Thursday. It is not known who he met at VW and what was discussed. Volkswagen did not comment. Intel only confirmed that Gelsinger had visited BMW and Deutsche Telekom. The Munich-based car manufacturer is cooperating with Mobileye and other partners as part of an alliance. Nvidia is one of the most important manufacturers of chips for the automotive industry. Volkswagen also purchases semiconductor components from the US company. The commercial vehicle division of VW, based in Hanover, develops hardware and software for self-driving shuttle services together with Mobileye. The technology is to be used in the future at the Moia driving service, which belongs to Volkswagen. It is also intended to be used for parcel delivery services, which can hardly find drivers due to the rapidly growing online trade.