Cognata, an Israel-based autonomous vehicle simulation startup, has announced that Autonomous Intelligent Driving (AID), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Audi, has selected it as its autonomous vehicle simulation partner.

Cognata leverages artificial intelligence, deep learning and computer vision in a simulated environment. This way they claim to simulate and validate autonomous vehicles prior to physical roadway tests. Cognata recreates cities from around the world, allowing an expanded range of testing scenarios, including AI-based traffic models that simulate real-world traffic conditions. The simulation engine reproduces sensor input by emulating the specific sensors’ interactions with real-world materials.

AID is the ‘center of excellence’ for urban autonomous driving in the Volkswagen Group. Their technology will be used in models and brands across the group including VW, Audi and Porsche.

Through this multi-year partnership with Cognata, AID has chosen to implement a large-scale, cloud-based simulation solution and facilitate thorough, efficient and rapid testing, thereby increasing safety while speeding up time to market for its autonomous vehicles. Cognata will provide AID with its end-to-end simulation offering and even provide support through the autonomous vehicle’s entire product lifecycle.

AID CTO Alex Haag said, “After exploring various solutions, we decided that partnering with Cognata is the fastest way to increase our development speed that is required for the validation of our product and for proving that it is safe.”

Cognata CEO Danny Atsmon said, “The combination of the groundbreaking work done by AID and the end-to-end simulation offering from Cognata will safely accelerate commercial deployment of AID-enabled autonomous vehicles.”