Volkswagen details common 'vw.os' operating system for all models by 2025

The company will assign 5,000 workers to its software development unit.

Volkswagen has outlined plans to double down on in-house software development, eventually harmonizing all VW Group vehicles onto a common 'vw.os' operating system.

The company currently uses in-house-developed software for just 10 percent of vehicle-related technologies. The new initiative aims for a majority of at least 60 percent by 2025.

Tesla has been praised for its unique approach to vehicle electronic systems and cloud-based connectivity, integrating many control systems into multi-purpose modules that can be updated via over-the-air software revisions.

VW Group is apparently following Tesla's lead, admitting that its current vehicles operate with up to 70 control units with different operating software from 200 different suppliers. The vw.os platform will provide a uniform OS for use across all brands' vehicles, all of which will be linked to the Volkswagen Automotive Cloud.

Currently, around 500 workers are assigned to the German automaker's software development unit. The number is expected to hit 2,000 by 2020 and 5,000 dedicated employees by 2025.

The company is apparently already making progress with the core systems, rolling out vw.os and the automotive cloud platform in the upcoming ID.3 electric hatchback.

Image by Ronan Glon.