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, 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.