Nvidia Expands Into Advanced Driver Assistance With Drive AutoPilot
Nvidia introduces Drive AutoPilot, a new reference platform designed to upgrade advanced driver assistance systems in production vehicles rather than enable full autonomy. Major suppliers Continental and ZF plan to bring systems based on this technology to production by 2020.
Nvidia expands its automotive business by launching Drive AutoPilot, a new reference platform aimed at upgrading advanced driver assistance systems in production vehicles. Unlike its previous focus on fully autonomous robotaxis, this new system targets near-term improvements for everyday consumer cars. Automakers and suppliers use this platform to bring more sophisticated automated features to the market without waiting for full self-driving technology to mature.
The Drive AutoPilot system enables a variety of advanced capabilities, including highway merging, lane changes, pedestrian detection, and parking assist. It also features in-cabin technologies like driver monitoring and AI copilot functions, along with over-the-air software updates. Nvidia notes that existing Level 2 systems often struggle with vehicle detection and lane keeping on curvy roads, and this new platform directly addresses those inconsistencies.
Tier 1 suppliers Continental and ZF already commit to using the Drive AutoPilot platform, with partially automated driving systems expected in production by 2020. Nvidia provides the underlying reference design rather than a plug-and-play product, allowing these suppliers to customize and deliver their own combination of advanced automation features. This move establishes Nvidia as a key player in the immediate future of driver assistance technology.