Computing platform Drive Nvidia: Extensive collaboration on autonomous driving

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FAULHABER Drive Systems

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Nvidia has announced extensive collaborations with mobility companies. Accordingly, numerous automobile manufacturers and developers will use the computing platform "Drive Thor" for autonomous driving functions in the future.

At the developer conference GTC of the chip manufacturer Nvidia, several automakers and developers of autonomous driving functions announced they will use Nvidia's System-on-a-Chip "Drive Thor," an in-vehicle computing platform for generative AI applications. According to the manufacturer, it combines cockpit functions and functions of highly automated and autonomous driving. The platform integrates Nvidia's new Blackwell architecture, which features a generative AI engine and has a computing power of 1,000 teraflops.

BYD plans to integrate the platform into its upcoming vehicles. Moreover, the Chinese automaker is expanding its ongoing collaboration with Nvidia to the cloud and intends to utilize the infrastructure for cloud-based AI development. This includes the "Isaac" and "Omniverse" platforms. BYD aims to develop tools and applications for virtual factory planning and dealer configurators using them.

The luxury car brand Hyper, belonging to GAC Aion, plans to use Drive Thor in the next generation of their electric cars, which are expected to be produced from the year 2025. Currently, the manufacturer uses the predecessor platform "Orin" in its flagship "Hyper GT" for Level 2+ driving functions at high speeds.

Xpeng plans to use Drive Thor as a vehicle computer to operate its driver assistance system "XNGP." The system supports, among other things, autonomous driving and parking, and monitors both the driver and passenger. Previously, car manufacturers Li Auto and Zeekr had already announced their intention to base their future vehicle roadmap on Drive Thor.

Computing platform for trucks and robotaxis

The AI platform is also suitable for trucks and robotaxis. There are already manufacturers who want to use Drive Thor, including Nuro. The company is developing "Nuro Driver," a system for autonomous driving functions of Level 4 for commercial and private vehicles. The next generation of the system is set to run on Drive Thor. Initial tests are expected to begin later this year.

The software company Plus is already collaborating with truck manufacturers on autonomous driving. Future generations of its Level 4 concept "SuperDrive" will run on Drive Thor. Plus uses the computing power of the platform to interpret image-based sensor data from the vehicle's surroundings and derive driving decisions from it.

Waabi is developing a system for self-driving vehicles called "Waabi Driver." With Drive Thor, the company aims to bring its AI-driven concept for autonomously driving trucks to the market "and operate autonomous trucks on a large scale," the company announced. The launch is scheduled for the year 2025.

The company "WeRide" is developing several Level 4 concepts for autonomous driving for commercial applications with "Lenovo Vehicle Computing" based on Drive Thor. Integrated into Lenovo's vehicle domain controller "AD1," the system is intended primarily for use in urban environments.