NVIDIA has teamed up with Bosch to develop AI self-driving tech which will deploy NVIDIA’s deep-learning hardware and software. This news follows Intel’s $15 billion acquisition (most expensive to date in the automated car tech space) of Mobileye.
To use NVIDIA’s Xavier super chip
The collaboration of a Silicon Valley maker of graphics processors and one of the largest auto parts makers could be seen as a positive step towards making an AI-powered self-driving computer which will be fitted in mass-market cars.
Bosch will develop its artificial intelligence car computer system on NVIDIA’s next-generation DRIVE PC technology with Xavier and AI car super chip, the first single chip processor to achieve level 4 autonomous driving.
Bosch CEO Dr. Volkmar Denner feels, “Automated driving makes roads safer, and artificial intelligence is the key to making that happen.”
NVIDIA’s Xavier chip is capable of handling immense computation, which underlines the technology in self-driving vehicles. Some of the computations include operating deep neutral nets to identify the surroundings, understanding the 3D environment and putting it on the HD map, identifying the behavior and position of other objects, controlling the dynamics, and plotting a safe path ahead.
Bosch and NVIDIA – a good match
Bosch has been testing autonomous cars for quite some time. The German company was among the 11 companies that filed “disengagement” reports with the California DMV for 2016 regarding the performance of their prototypes.
On the other hand, NVIDIA’s core business is still processors used for complex gaming graphics. However, its chips have proven to be impressive in running artificial intelligence (AI) software in autonomous vehicles. Previously, it has inked deals with Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Honda, Volvo, Tesla, Audi, and Baidu.
Jen-Hsun Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, said, “Self-driving cars is a challenge that can finally be solved with recent breakthroughs in deep learning and artificial intelligence.”
Huang added that with the use of the DRIVE PX AI car computer, Bosch will develop automotive-grade systems for the bulk production of autonomous cars.
“Together we will realize a future where autonomous vehicles make mobility safe and accessible to all,” the CEO said.
According to Reuters, the companies are planning to reveal their self-driving computer system in 2020.
On Wednesday, NVIDIA shares closed up 0.76% at $102.55. Year to date, the stock is down almost 4%, while in the last year, it is up more than 218%.
