Volkswagen; HELLA
Car.Software Org develops assistance systems and automated driving functions for all brands of the Volkswagen Group. Credit: Unsplash.

Volkswagen Group’s Car.Software Org has acquired the front camera software business from HELLA Aglaia Mobile Vision, a wholly owned subsidiary of HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA to support Volkswagen’s growth in the development of automated driving functions.

The deal includes the takeover of all the associated testing and validation departments.

Car.Software Org CEO Dirk Hilgenberg said: “By acquiring the camera software business area of HELLA together with the relevant image processing know-how, we are continuing our strategy of developing key software components in-house in the future.

“This way, we will boost the development of competence in the field of computer vision within the Car.Software Org and strengthen our position for the development of safe and innovative driving functions.”

Car.Software Org develops assistance systems and automated driving functions for all brands of the Volkswagen Group.

With this acquisition, the company aims to improve its image processing competence while supporting Volkswagen Group in the development of automated driving functions.

As part of the deal, nearly half of HELLA Aglaia’s employees will move to Car.Software Org.

The deal awaits clearance by the anti-trust authorities and is expected to close in 2021.

HELLA CEO Dr Rolf Breidenbach said: “Our departure from the front camera software business is based on strict portfolio management. We are therefore pleased to have found a partner in Volkswagen to continue the strategic development of these activities.

“Irrespective of this development, we will continue to invest consistently in future-oriented automotive areas such as e-mobility, automated driving, software and digitalisation.”