Continental Makes Additional Investment in AI Startup, Kopernikus Automotive GmbH

Continental has made a further investment, together with Technologiegruenderfonds Sachsen (TGFS), in Kopernikus Automotive, a German AI Startup specialising in Automated Valet Parking and Level 4 autonomous maneuvering. Continental previously invested in Kopernikus Automotive in 2021, and has now started to market a Kopernikus-based system worldwide.

Kopernikus is focused on autonomous parking and maneuvering based on the infrastructure. All vehicles are monitored and driven by cameras and computers in a facility (usually a parking or logistics facility, or an automotive factory).

Kopernikus equips the facility with an Artificial Intelligence, enabling it to drive a car.

After being awarded to equip a brand new test facility for Automated Valet Parking Type 2 in Wolfsburg by Volkswagens’ CARIAD software group in 2022, and being awarded for two pilot projects at two Ford Automotive factories, Kopernikus is moving towards serial application with the additional €3m capital.

Kopernikus’ COO, Tim von Toerne, says: “This capital increase ensures that we can conclude our development and safety certification of one of the first truly driverless self-driving applications you will see.”

"This innovative technology is exciting because it can be applied to any vehicle in serial production today. No additional sensors or computers are required. Customers can start saving cost today and bring driverless Automated Valet Parking to consumers tomorrow.”, adds Laurent Fabre, head of Continental’s Passive Safety and Sensorics segment.

Soeren Schuster, Managing Director of TGFS, comments: “Kopernikus Automotive has made an outstanding progress in the development of their system during the last two years, not only in the lab but already in a large number of field tests. We are proud and happy to support the further journey of Kopernikus‘ highly engaged team.“

Kopernikus is a German startup based in Leipzig, Saxony, that employs 25 employees.