Mercedes, Nvidia to Partner on Integrated Processor

Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit is working with chipmaker Nvidia Corp. to develop an in-vehicle supercomputer that can manage multiple vehicles systems, including advanced user interfaces and autonomous driving technologies.

The integrated processor will use artificial intelligence to accomplish things that no current computer can do, according to the partners. The companies announced the collaboration this week at the CES electronic show in Las Vegas.

In today’s vehicles, software functions are powered by dozens of specialized electronic control units—from braking and power steering to windows and door locks—that are scattered throughout the car. Centralizing these capabilities in an integrated processor will make it easier to coordinate functions and update software features as they become available, Nvidia says.

The partners provided no timeframe for developing and launching the integrated processor.

The collaboration builds on an existing relationship between the companies. Nvidia supplies the processor for the Mercedes-Benz User Experience interface that was launched last year on several cars and soon will be available in 16 models.

Nvidia also is working with Mercedes and Bosch on a processor that will be used by a robo-taxi service the companies plans to test later this year in California.