Astemo and Hitachi Develop AI Platform for Autonomous Vehicle Intelligence

Astemo and Hitachi announced on May 20 that both companies will jointly establish a next-generation AI development platform designed to transform the learning, validation and deployment processes for Driver-Assistance AI used in autonomous vehicles. The collaboration is focused on enabling safer and more comfortable mobility solutions in the evolving Software-Defined Vehicle era while accelerating advancements in intelligent vehicle technologies. The companies plan to complete the advanced integrated development environment by the end of fiscal year 2026.

The initiative combines Astemo’s expertise in integrated vehicle control systems and AI technologies associated with driving, turning and stopping functions with Hitachi’s capabilities in digital twin environments and mission-critical systems. Hitachi will contribute technologies related to confidential information protection and physical AI deployment, while Astemo will provide automotive control intelligence. Together, the companies aim to establish an advanced environment integrating AI platforms, data platforms and data center infrastructure to support the next phase of autonomous mobility development.

The newly planned platform will merge real-world driving information with extensive virtual datasets generated through digital twin technologies capable of reproducing scenarios that are difficult to recreate in physical testing conditions. The development framework will incorporate safety-focused design principles and train AI systems using complex factors such as component deterioration and performance fluctuations. This approach is expected to improve both advanced vehicle safety capabilities and more natural driving behavior that delivers a comfortable experience for passengers and drivers.

By continuously feeding evaluation and verification results back into the design cycle, the companies expect to significantly accelerate Driver-Assistance AI development while enhancing system reliability and operational accuracy. The rapid feedback loop will support faster learning and validation processes, enabling developers to improve AI models efficiently across multiple driving conditions and edge-case scenarios that are often challenging to test in conventional environments.

Astemo also stated that the initiative will strengthen its IoV platform, which serves as a core development foundation for Software-Defined Vehicles. In the future, the company intends to expand the IoV platform, including the newly developed AI framework, into a common platform that can be utilized by automakers and suppliers. This strategy is expected to help industry participants allocate more resources toward high-value activities such as vehicle control innovation and mobility service development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the new AI platform being developed by Astemo and Hitachi?
The new AI platform is being developed to improve the learning, validation and deployment processes for Driver-Assistance AI used in autonomous vehicles. The platform combines real-world driving data with digital twin-generated virtual scenarios to enhance AI training efficiency and safety performance. By integrating advanced AI systems, data platforms and digital infrastructure, Astemo and Hitachi aim to accelerate intelligent vehicle development while enabling safer, more natural and comfortable autonomous driving experiences in future Software-Defined Vehicles.

How will digital twin technology support autonomous vehicle AI development?
Digital twin technology allows developers to recreate complex driving environments and rare scenarios that are difficult to reproduce in physical testing conditions. In the Astemo and Hitachi platform, digital twins will generate large-scale simulation data alongside real-world driving information. This enables AI systems to be trained using various conditions, including component degradation and performance changes. The approach improves validation speed, strengthens safety-focused development and helps create Driver-Assistance AI systems capable of delivering reliable and human-like driving behavior.