New Collaboration
This is why BMW relies on Momenta in China
The BMW Group is collaborating with Momenta to set the standard for intelligent, safe, and symbiotic automated driving.
BMW
BMW is collaborating with the Chinese ADAS specialist Momenta to develop driver assistance systems for the Chinese market - tailored to local conditions, complemented by global collaborations.
BMW has announced that it will collaborate with the Chinese ADAS provider Momenta to develop automated driving functions specifically for the Chinese market. The partnership is expected to utilise advanced AI algorithms and be based on data-driven development approaches. Initially, the integration will take place within the framework of the Neue Klasse in China. According to BMW, the strategy combines intelligent interaction, control, and ADAS to "ensure maximum benefit for the driver in all situations".
That's the official part. In a conversation with automotiveIT, Gartner analyst Jonathan Davenport assesses the move as follows: "The Chinese automotive market is highly competitive. Local manufacturers are rapidly improving the technical maturity of their vehicles - particularly through software-based functions. As software platforms increasingly serve as a central differentiator for consumer decisions, international brands like BMW must ensure that their vehicles offer similar capabilities to remain relevant."
BMW needs Momenta's expertise
"This collaboration of like-minded partners will allow us to offer our customers in China a truly unique automated driving experience," says Mihiar Ayoubi, Senior Vice President, Driving Experience at BMW. He points to over 20 years of pioneering work in the field of automated driving safety combined with local expertise and modern Chinese AI technology.
Gartner expert Davenport sees access to algorithms as a decisive criterion for collaboration. These have already been trained and optimized for Chinese road conditions and user expectations. Momenta's experience in the home market - including projects with SAIC and recently with Mercedes - makes the company a valuable partner. This cooperation enables BMW to localize more effectively without having to develop all systems independently, according to Davenport.
Why is BMW relying on Momenta?
What sets this project apart from other initiatives in the Chinese market for autonomous driving is, "that many large players either focus on higher levels of autonomy - primarily with a focus on robotaxi solutions, or develop vertically integrated platforms - that is, companies that not only build ADAS or autonomous driving functions but also produce and sell their own vehicles to avoid strategic partnerships with potential competitors," says Davenport. In contrast, BMW is pursuing a pragmatic approach to localization through partnership, allowing the company to keep up with the domestic pace of innovation without taking the risk or effort of directly competing in areas where Chinese providers are already leading.
Goal: Faster Time-to-Market
According to Davenport, there is clearly a need for autonomous driving software solutions to be homologated for local markets. Momentas advantage lies in the fact that the software has already been trained for Chinese roads, traffic patterns, and infrastructure - a significant lead over other solutions still in development. For example, the collaboration between BMW and Qualcomm via Arriver is promising, but these systems are still in the testing phase and are not optimized for the specific Chinese driving environment. "Momentas local expertise, on the other hand, allows BMW to significantly shorten the time-to-market - a crucial factor in attracting and retaining Chinese customers who increasingly value advanced software and driving experiences," explains the expert.
BMW remains in the follower role
The partnership will undoubtedly help BMW improve its position, but Davenport does not believe it is enough to help BMW take the lead in autonomous driving. "Integrating a third-party software platform into BMW's vehicle architecture is no trivial task. It brings significant technical complexity and challenges that take time to resolve." While the German OEM focuses on this integration, competitors with full vertical control - like BYD and Tesla - could advance more quickly. "These companies benefit from scaling their vehicle fleets, allowing them to collect large amounts of real-world data and continuously train their AI algorithms," Davenport clarifies.
Local Focus on China
According to BMW, the partnership focuses on software development and integration, optimised for Chinese road networks, traffic conditions, and user expectations. The Bavarian OEM has been pursuing a multi-pronged approach to autonomous driving for some time. In Germany, the company has received Level 3 approval from the KBA: Since June 2023, the motorway assistant has been available for speeds up to 130 km/h, as well as the Level 3 Personal Pilot in the BMW 7 Series.
In parallel, BMW is working globally with suppliers such as Qualcomm and Arriver: Since March 2022, BMW has been developing scalable autonomous driving platforms with them based on Snapdragon Ride SoCs and Arriver Computer Vision. There is also an AI partnership with Alibaba in China focusing on language and interface technologies in the Neue Klasse from 2026.
This article was first published
at automotiveit.eu
