Volvo's New EX90 Model Runs on NVIDIA's Software-Defined Technology
Volvo Cars is making a significant stride in AI-powered supercomputing, announcing its partnership with NVIDIA to optimize its vehicles for large workloads. This collaboration is set to pave a quick path to high-performing AI, ultimately helping to make Volvo's products safer and better.
Volvo is currently using NVIDIA's DGX systems for AI model training. Later this decade, Volvo will introduce cars built on NVIDIA's DRIVE Thor, capable of up to 1,000 TOPS. This next-generation technology is expected to make Volvo's in-house developed software more scalable across its product line-up, as stated by Jim Rowan, CEO of Volvo Cars.
The Volvo EX90, the company's first software-defined car, is already leveraging NVIDIA's technology. Its core computing system, powered by an NVIDIA DRIVE Orin system-on-a-chip (SoC), is capable of over 250 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This high AI and GPU compute power enables real-time perception and autonomous driving workloads, such as running BEV (bird’s-eye view) perception models at high frame rates.
DRIVE Thor, the next-generation SoC, roughly quadruples Orin’s performance, achieving up to ~1000 TOPS, and consolidates multiple functions (ADAS, infotainment, driver monitoring) into a single chip. This centralized, scalable computing platform supports advanced features centered on high-performance AI computing, safety, flexibility, and future-proofing.
Both SoCs come with NVIDIA’s safety-certified DRIVE OS (versions 6 and 7) supporting containerized development tools, secure boot, functional safety, and cybersecurity compliance. This enables over-the-air (OTA) updates to deploy new features and safety improvements long after the vehicle is delivered.
The platforms also meet automotive-grade functional safety and cybersecurity standards, ensuring reliable operation of autonomous and driver assistance systems. The integration of DRIVE Thor will help future-proof Volvo's next generation of cars.
Volvo's long-standing collaboration with NVIDIA allows the company to further explore and apply its deep understanding of safety in training large foundation AI models. The Volvo-owned software company Zenseact is also involved in the development of safe autonomous driving using the NVIDIA DGX systems.
Before deploying to Volvo's future fleets on the road, the NVIDIA DGX platform will be used to enhance the efficiency of training both current and future AI models. By leveraging NVIDIA technology and setting up the data center, Volvo aims to create human-centric technology that creates value and makes cars safer, improving life without compromising safety.
Sources:
- NVIDIA DRIVE Thor: The Next-Generation AI Supercomputer for Autonomous Vehicles
- Volvo EX90: The First Software-Defined Car
- NVIDIA DRIVE Orin: The AI Supercomputer for Autonomous Vehicles
- NVIDIA DRIVE Thor: The Next-Generation Platform for Autonomous Vehicles
- Volvo Cars and NVIDIA Collaborate to Advance AI for Safer and Better Cars
- Volvo Cars' collaboration with NVIDIA is advancing safety features in the automotive industry by integrating AI-powered supercomputing technologies, such as the DGX systems for AI model training and NVIDIA's DRIVE Thor for high-performing AI applications in its vehicles.
- Finance plays a significant role in Volvo's future, as the integration of NVIDIA's technology is expected to make their in-house developed software more scalable across their product line-up, eventually leading to improved transportation solutions that prioritize safety and human-centric values.
- Technical advancements, like the transition from the NVIDIA DRIVE Orin system-on-a-chip (SoC) to the upcoming DRIVE Thor, are expected to boost performance and safety in the automotive industry, ultimately paving the way for autonomous vehicles and a more secure driving experience.
