Audi takes over Artemis development for autonomous electric car

INGOLSTADT: Audi is taking the previously independent Artemis project team for the development of an autonomous electric car under its wing.

The team "set up the development of the innovative Artemis model outside the usual structures and processes, and in its conceptual phase it has laid the foundation for forward-looking technology in cooperation with CARIAD and AUDI AG," Audi announced on Friday.

But it said it had now handed over responsibility for further vehicle development to Audi and for software development to CARIAD.

CEO Markus Duesmann said that without the previous team leader Alexander Hitzinger, the vehicle would not be rolling out to customers in 2025. Hitzinger is now handing over the reins.

"Modern working methods, software-based tools and targeted processes are the key for turning ideas into innovations quickly and efficiently. Today this is more important than ever," said Oliver Hoffmann, member of the management board for development.

"We are therefore pleased that Artemis GmbH with its extensive know-how in these disciplines will work even more closely and directly with Technical Development at Audi in the future," Hoffmann said.

It is to become Audi's competence centre for fast and modern development processes.

With the Artemis project, Audi originally wanted to bring a fully networked electric Audi with new software to market as early as the end of 2024 and make the brand, which has been shaken by the diesel crisis and changes in the board of management, the technology leader in the VW Group once again.