BERLIN — Robert Bosch will work with Microsoft on a software platform for vehicles, the German supplier said Thursday.
By using cloud technology, the software platform will ensure that vehicles’ control units and computers can get software throughout their lifetime, Bosch said in a statement.
The technology is based on Microsoft Azure and includes software modules from Bosch, the supplier said, adding that they plan to use the software platform in vehicle prototypes by the end of 2021.
“We are thus creating the conditions for wireless updates to work just as smoothly and conveniently on vehicles as they do on smartphones,” said Bosch Managing Director Markus Heyn.
The companies will also cooperate to adapt existing software tools to let automakers and suppliers simplify and accelerate their own software updates.
Last week Volkswagen Group announced a similar cooperation with Microsoft to use its cloud computing services to help it streamline its software development efforts for self-driving cars.
Bosch ranks No. 1 on the Automotive News list of the top 100 global suppliers, with 2019 sales to automakers of $46.55 billion in fiscal 2019.