Volvo and Nvidia Expand Automated Driving Partnership

Volvo Cars and Nvidia are expanding their partnership to develop automated-driving technology for future Volvo vehicles, combining Volvo’s safety engineering with Nvidia’s computing and software platforms. The system is intended to support driving on urban streets and highways, but its first vehicle and launch schedule have not been specified. The expanded collaboration includes Nvidia’s Hyperion sensor and computing architecture, its Alpamayo driving software and its Halos safety-evaluation layer. Volvo plans to apply the technology across future models, extending its use beyond battery-electric vehicles to plug-in hybrids and gasoline-powered cars. The companies’ announcement describes an eventual point-to-point driving system. However, Volvo software development head Alwin Bakkenes told Reuters that the first deployment would focus on supervised driving, with drivers responsible for operating the vehicle. Volvo has said the technology is expected in vehicles before 2030; Bakkenes also said the rollout would cover multiple regions simultaneously, excluding China. The initial system is described as Level 2 automation. Reports say it is designed to assist in complex situations...