The Volkswagen Group has announced that it will start to use sensor and image data from consumer vehicles to optimise its driver assistance systems and automated driving functions.

The firm states that this data is more everyday-relevant compared to tests with development vehicles or computer simulations and will assist its goal of making driver assistance systems as precise and smooth as possible. Data transfer from a vehicle will further only be triggered in narrowly defined scenarios, including when the emergency brake assistant is activated, or if full braking force is deployed, and when the vehicle executes sudden evasive manoeuvres.

This new initiative is set to start in Germany come late 2024, starting with Volkswagen Passenger Cars and the Audi brand, although the other brands from the group are set to join this initiative in due time. Models joining this initiative include the cars equipped with the firm's E3 1.1 and E3 1.2 architectures, which include the all-electric ID. model family from Volkswagen, and the Q6 e-tron, A6 e-tron, A5, and Q5 from Audi.

Customer consent will be a fundamental prerequisite for the transfer and processing of data. This consent can be given in various ways and will be individually designed by the different brands.