Bosch and Alibaba Cloud Announce Collaboration to Introduce Automated Valet Parking in China

Commitment shows intent to drive country’s smart mobility

Hangzhou, China, September 20 – Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services, and Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, jointly announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate and introduce Automated Valet Parking (AVP) in China. The announcement came at today’s The Computing Conference 2018, Alibaba’s annual flagship showcase. Both parties will work together to enable the infrastructure-based, driverless parking solution. The technology is powered by software in a cloud and it will offer a fully automated valet parking service in the near future.

AVP takes smart mobility a step further by enabling cars to park without a driver. This advanced function allows drivers to leave their vehicle at the entrance of a garage and then park it through a simple command from an app. AVP will also spark a growth in new automated car services, such as maintenance and in-trunk delivery. The technology is designed to ensure the safe operation of vehicles in parking garages. Together with an OEM partner, Bosch has already demonstrated Automated Valet Parking to a broader Chinese audience a few days ago.

Ming Chen, Regional President of Bosch Connected Mobility Solutions in China, said:”Connectivity is fundamentally changing how people get from A to B. We’re looking forward to working with Alibaba and offering localized innovative mobility services like AVP for the Chinese market. Both parties are committed to making cities smart, thus making people’s everyday lives easier, safer, and less stressful.“

Simon Hu, Senior Vice President of Alibaba Group and President of Alibaba Cloud, said: “We are excited to partner with Bosch to explore smart mobility solutions, such as introducing AVP to China, by combining the technology strengths of both parties. We believe the AVP platform, which is open to different auto brands, will play a significant role in fostering the development of autonomous driving and smart cities.”

As part of the cooperation, Bosch will provide its AVP technology, its experience in systems engineering and its IoT competencies. Alibaba Cloud, meanwhile, will share its technologies and its experience in cloud computing, data analysis and smart mobility. Both parties intend to explore building showcase sites to demonstrate next-generation AVP technology throughout China. The two companies are also committed to exploring future opportunities in connected mobility in China and abroad. AVP is an ideal accompaniment to smart cities, an area in which both Bosch and Alibaba aim to become significant players.

AVP is an important milestone on the road to autonomous driving. Its intelligent infrastructure ensures essential safety precautions, such as reliably locating a vehicle and safely recognizing a clear driving path. AVP provides a convenient service that saves drivers time and stress by not only automating the search for a parking space, but also reducing the risk of dents and scratches while parking. For parking garage operators, AVP promises business efficiency—the technology allows the space of a garage to be maximized by up to 20 percent more vehicles.

About the Bosch Group

In China, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial drives and control technology, packaging technology, power tools, security and communication systems, thermotechnology and household appliances. Having established a regional presence in China in 1909, Bosch employs close to 60,000 associates (as of December 31, 2017) and operates 62 legal entities and facilities, with consolidated sales of CNY 113.4 billion CNY in fiscal 2017.

Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com.cn.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 402,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2017). The company generated sales of 78.1 billion euros in 2017. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT company, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, smart cities, connected mobility and connected manufacturing. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to deliver innovations for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “invented for life.”

The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiary and regional companies in 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company’s future growth is its innovative strength. At 125 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 64,500 associates in research and development.

The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as the “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.” The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant upfront investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH.

Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.iot.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, www.twitter.com/BoschPresse.

About Alibaba Cloud

Established in 2009, Alibaba Cloud (www.alibabacloud.com), the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, is among the world’s top three IaaS providers according to Gartner, and the largest provider of public cloud services in China, according to IDC. Alibaba Cloud provides a comprehensive suite of cloud computing services to businesses worldwide, including merchants doing business on Alibaba Group marketplaces, start-ups, corporations and government organizations. Alibaba Cloud is the official Cloud Services Partner of the International Olympic Committee.