Mercedes-Benz, NVIDIA to create new software-defined architecture to enable autonomous driving

June 24, 2020 | AUVSI News

Mercedes-Benz and NVIDIA have announced that they will work together to create a ‘revolutionary’ in-vehicle computing system and artificial intelligence (AI) computing infrastructure.

Expected to be rolled out across the fleet of next-generation Mercedes-Benz vehicles starting in 2024, the technology will equip the vehicles with upgradable automated driving functions.

The new software-defined architecture will be built on the NVIDIA DRIVE platform. It will be standard in Mercedes-Benz’s next-generation fleet, enabling state-of-the-art automated driving functionalities.

One of the primary features of the software-defined architecture will be the ability to automate driving of regular routes from address to address. There will also be numerous future safety and convenience applications.

Through over-the-air software updates during the life of the car, customers will be able to purchase and add capabilities, software applications and subscription services.

“We are excited to work with Mercedes-Benz. It’s the perfect partner for us given its long record of innovation and our strong technical relationship,” says Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA.

“Together, we’re going to revolutionize the car ownership experience, making the vehicle software programmable and continuously upgradeable via over-the-air updates. 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.”

The next-generation NVIDIA DRIVE platform will power automated driving functions in future Mercedes-Benz cars. The computer system-on-a-chip, known as NVIDIA Orin, is based on the NVIDIA Ampere supercomputing architecture.

The NVIDIA DRIVE platform includes a full system software stack designed for automated driving AI applications. Together, NVIDIA and Mercedes-Benz will 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, every car will be updatable over the air to facilitate new automated driving functions. Convenience and other safety features will also be available.

Mercedes-Benz and NVIDIA will use NVIDIA DRIVE Infrastructure solutions to enable data-driven development and deep neural network development to develop the new models. This will help handle the requirements of the regions and operational domains where the cars will be available.

Below: 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. Photo courtesy of NVIDIA