Continental announces further investment in Kopernikus Automotive for automated driving functions

Continental and Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen (TGFS) have made a follow-up investment in Kopernikus Automotive, an artificial intelligence (AI) startup specializing in automated valet parking and Level 4 autonomous maneuvering.

Continental previously invested in Kopernikus Automotive in 2021 and has begun marketing a Kopernikus-based system globally. Marketing has included a live demonstration of the Kopernikus technology at the CES 2023 in Las Vegas, USA, in January.

In 2022, Kopernikus Automotive was awarded a contract by Volkswagens’ CARIAD software to equip its new test facility for automated valet parking Type 2 in Wolfsburg, Germany. The company was also awarded contracts for two pilot projects at two separate Ford Automotive factories.

Having raised €3m (US$3.2m) in capital, Kopernikus Automotive is heading toward serial application.

“This capital increase ensures that we can conclude our development and safety certification of one of the first truly driverless self-driving applications you will see,” said Tim von Toerne, COO of Kopernikus.

Kopernikus is focusing its AI development on autonomous parking and maneuvering based on infrastructure, where all vehicles are monitored and driven by cameras and computers in a facility. The company is responsible for equipping a facility – such as a parking, logistics or automotive site – with the necessary equipment to drive a vehicle.

The test facility in Wolfsburg, operated by CARIAD, will provide a proving ground for the development of new cars with automated valet parking functionality.