Mercedes-Benz and computer chip manufacturer Nvidia, have joined forces to build a software-defined computing infrastructure system that enables vehicles to receive over-the-air software updates to ensure they are equipped with the latest autonomous features.
The companies said the new system would enable level two and three driving autonomy, as well as automated parking functions of up to level four.
Customers will also be able to purchase and add software applications and subscriptions through the over-the-air software updates, the companies said, assuring that the new system would have a “total focus on safety”.
“Together, we’re going to revolutionise the car ownership experience, making the vehicle software programmable and continuously upgradeable via over the air updates,” Nvidia CEO and founder Jensen Huang said.
The companies will build the software-defined architecture based on Nvidia’s Drive AGX Orin system-on-chip (SoC) platform, and it will be a standard feature in the next fleet of Mercedes-Benz vehicles from 2024.
“This new platform will become an efficient, centralised, and software-defined system in our future Mercedes-Benz vehicles,” said Ola Källenius, chairman of the board of management of Daimler and Mercedes-Benz.
“Nvidia’s AI computing architecture will help us streamline our journey towards autonomous driving. 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.”
The Nvidia Drive platform features a software stack featuring automated driving AI applications, including DriveWorks, Perception, Mapping, and Planning.
