Mercedes-Benz and NVIDIA plan to enter into a cooperation to create a revolutionary in-vehicle computing system and AI computing infrastructure.
Starting in 2024, this will be rolled out across the fleet of next-generation Mercedes-Benz vehicles, enabling them with upgradable automated driving functions.
The new software-defined architecture will be built on the NVIDIA DRIVE platform and will be standard in Mercedes-Benz’s next-generation fleet, enabling state-of-the-art automated driving functionalities. A primary feature will be the ability to automate driving of regular routes from address to address.
In addition, there will be numerous future safety and convenience applications. Customers will be able to purchase and add capabilities, software applications and subscription services through over-the-air software updates during the life of the car.
“This new platform will become an efficient, centralised and software-defined system in our future Mercedes-Benz vehicles,” said Ola Källenius, chairman of Daimler and head of Mercedes-Benz.
“NVIDIA’s AI computing architecture will help us streamline our journey towards autonomous driving,” said Källenius. “These new capabilities and upgrades will be downloaded from the cloud, improving safety, increasing value and extending the joy of ownership for all Mercedes-Benz customers.”
Automated driving functions in future Mercedes-Benz cars will be powered by the next-generation NVIDIA DRIVE platform. The computer system-on-a-chip, called NVIDIA Orin, is based on the recently announced NVIDIA Ampere supercomputing architecture. The NVIDIA DRIVE platform includes a full system software stack designed for automated driving AI applications.
NVIDIA and Mercedes-Benz will jointly develop the AI and automated vehicle applications that include SAE level 2 and 3, as well as automated parking functions (up to level 4).
As the technology and regulatory framework develop, it will be possible for every car to be updated over the air to enable new automated driving functions. Convenience as well as other safety features will also be available.
“Together, we’re going to revolutionise the car ownership experience, making the vehicle software programmable and continuously upgradeable via over-the-air updates,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “Every future Mercedes-Benz with the NVIDIA DRIVE system will come with a team of expert AI and software engineers continuously developing, refining and enhancing the car over its lifetime.”
