Together with Nvidia, Daimler is developing a software-defined vehicle architecture for its Mercedes-Benz brand, which should enable the familiar routes to be driven automatically.
Photo: Daimler AG / Mercedes-Benz
The automotive group Daimler wants to enable Mercedes-Benz buyers of all series from 2024 to drive regular routes automatically. The basis for this is to create a software-defined architecture in the cars that, in addition to automated driving, provides safety and comfort applications. These applications should correspond to Levels 2 and 3 and 4, which are defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Customers should be able to purchase new software and subscription services via over-the-air updates over the entire life cycle of the vehicle. Mercedes-Benz is cooperating with chip manufacturer Nvidia.
The System-on-Chip (SoC), called Orin, is based on the Nvidia Ampere supercomputing architecture. According to the manufacturer, the Nvidia Drive platform comprises a complete system software stack that was specially developed for the automated control of AI applications (artificial intelligence).
Both partners want to use Nvidia Drive’s infrastructure solutions to enable both data-driven development and the use of deep neural networks. In doing so, Mercedes-Benz wants to meet the requirements of the respective regions and operating areas in which the vehicles are to be sold.
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, explains: “The new platform will be an efficient, centralized and software-defined system in our future Mercedes-Benz series. Nvidia’s AI computer architecture should help our path for accelerating autonomous driving. “
Under the Mercedes-Benz brand, Stuttgart-based Daimler AG offers both cars and vans as well as trucks and buses. According to its own statements, the group is one of the largest providers of premium passenger cars and is the largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles worldwide.
Daimler AG | Artificial intelligence
Branch: Automotive
Use case: automated driving on known routes from 2024
Operation area: Mercedes-Benz vehicles
Product: Software-defined vehicle architecture based on Nvidia Drive
Partner: Nvidia