Stellantis CEO says Wayve tie-up can cut self-driving costs, development time

STELLAntis CEO Antonio Filosa declared on Friday that the automotive group's collaboration with British firm Wayve could reduce the time and expenses associated with developing advanced driver-assistance systems. Addressing Wayve CEO Alex Kendall at the Wave technology conference in Turin, Filosa emphasized the importance of scale in making autonomous driving cost-effective and hastening its acceptance.

"Provided the adoption trajectory we anticipate," he stated, "automotive scale, which constitutes a complementary asset we offer Alex, for instance, will decrease costs, which is of utmost significance." Filosa highlighted the reduction of development timelines from approximately 24 months currently at Stellantis to a shorter period as another key advantage of partnering with technology providers.

The company unveiled its first product utilizing Wayve's AI-driven driving software for STLA AutoDrive in May, with a 2028 launch planned for North America. As European authorities continue to harmonize regulations for advanced assisted-driving systems, automakers are accelerating partnerships with technology firms due to escalating costs and delayed returns on investment.

Stellantis, which includes brands such as Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot, and Maserati, stands out among its competitors for its diverse range of vehicles and brands, which Wayve's technology is designed to cater to effectively.