California-based software-defined vehicles firm Lucid Group is working with European shared mobility platform Bolt to develop and deploy autonomous mobility services across Europe.

Combining Lucid’s software-defined vehicle platform with insights from Bolt’s European data, operating infrastructure and mobility expertise, the companies aim to develop and introduce autonomous mobility services at scale. Building on vehicles from Lucid’s upcoming Midsize platform, Bolt aims to deploy at least 25,000 fully autonomous vehicles across multiple European cities and countries, a step towards Bolt’s ambition of 100,000 autonomous vehicles on its platform by 2035.

“Shared autonomous mobility offers the perfect opportunity to extend our unique technology beyond consumer vehicles,” said Silvio Napoli, CEO of Lucid. “Bolt’s reach and operating expertise make it an ideal partner to scale autonomous mobility across Europe. Together we will deliver an exceptional customer experience.”

As part of the programme, the companies will work together from the product-development stage on an autonomous driving system ready vehicle platform designed for SAE level-four autonomous mobility. The platform is expected to use Nvidia Hyperion, a production-ready autonomous vehicle reference architecture and development platform that combines high-performance compute with a standard sensor suite.

“Autonomous driving in Europe requires data, software, vehicles and operations to work as one system built for European roads and regulation,” said Markus Villig, CEO of Bolt. “Lucid brings a world-class platform and, together, we will co-design the vehicle and software based on our data and more than a decade of operating experience across more than 850 cities. No one is better placed to operate autonomous mobility services efficiently at scale.”

The partnership will be led by Bolt Autonomous Driving, the company’s dedicated autonomous-driving unit, which co-designs, integrates and commercialises autonomous mobility in Europe. Bolt’s role will extend from product development through to commercial operation. The company will help define vehicle requirements, as well as software, safety and rider-experience parameters for autonomous vehicles operating on its platform. Additionally, it will build the fleet infrastructure, operating systems and city partnerships needed to deploy them at scale. It intends to own and operate the fleet.

At Lucid, the partnership will be led by the newly established Lucid Technologies, which is dedicated to developing and commercialising Lucid’s technology by bringing together the company’s AI, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), autonomy and broader digital functions under a unified structure.

Lucid (lucidmotors.com) and Bolt (bolt.eu) plan to work with autonomous-driving technology partners, European regulators and policymakers to support the safe, secure and scalable introduction of autonomous mobility services across the region.