Volvo Cars Partners with NVIDIA to Revolutionize Future Vehicle Technologies

Volvo Cars is making significant strides in automotive technology with an expanded partnership with NVIDIA. This collaboration focuses on integrating next-generation safety, connectivity, data, and software into their vehicles, setting a new standard for innovation in the automotive industry.

Key Developments and Technologies

Volvo EX90 and NVIDIA DRIVE Orin

The Volvo EX90 represents the forefront of this technological advancement, featuring a centralised core compute architecture developed with NVIDIA. At the heart of this system is the NVIDIA DRIVE Orin system-on-a-chip (SoC), capable of performing over 250 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This powerful SoC manages a range of functions from AI-based active safety to driving assistance systems, paving the way for future autonomous driving capabilities.

Future Integration with NVIDIA DRIVE Thor

Looking ahead, Volvo Cars plans to incorporate NVIDIA DRIVE Thor into their vehicles. Scheduled for introduction later in the decade, DRIVE Thor offers up to 1,000 TOPS, which is four times more powerful than DRIVE Orin. It also boasts seven times greater energy efficiency. This advanced chip will support the development of more sophisticated driving-assistance features and enhance the scalability of Volvo’s in-house-developed software.

Advanced GPU Architecture

DRIVE Thor features the NVIDIA Blackwell GPU architecture, which will facilitate advanced driving-assistance and safety features. It is designed to support the development of autonomous driving technology and generative AI capabilities, enhancing in-car experiences.

AI Training and Development

To further leverage AI technology, Volvo Cars is utilizing NVIDIA DGX systems through its software subsidiary, Zenseact. These systems are optimized for handling large-scale AI workloads, crucial for developing safe autonomous driving technologies. The NVIDIA DGX platform enhances the efficiency of training AI models, contributing to more effective and reliable autonomous driving systems.

Enhancing AI Training Capabilities

NVIDIA DGX Platform Benefits

The NVIDIA DGX supercomputer is pivotal in boosting Volvo Cars’ AI training capabilities. According to Anders Bell, Chief Engineering & Technology Officer at Volvo Cars, “The NVIDIA DGX AI supercomputer will supercharge our AI training capabilities.” This platform supports the development of large foundation AI models, improving vehicle understanding of their environment and advancing safety and convenience features.

Volvo Cars’ Commitment to Sustainability

Founded in 1927, Volvo Cars is committed to becoming a fully electric car manufacturer and significantly reducing its carbon footprint by 2040. As of December 2023, the company employed approximately 43,400 full-time employees globally and achieved a record core operating profit of SEK 25.6 billion with revenue reaching SEK 399.3 billion. Global sales hit a record 708,716 cars.

Production and R&D Facilities

Volvo Cars’ production plants are located in Gothenburg (Sweden), Ghent (Belgium), South Carolina (US), Chengdu, Daqing, and Taizhou (China). Their R&D and design centers are based in Gothenburg and Shanghai. The company’s mission, “For life. To give people the freedom to move in a personal, sustainable, and safe way,” reflects their dedication to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

Important Information

• Volvo EX90: Features NVIDIA DRIVE Orin with 250 TOPS, supporting advanced safety and driving-assistance systems.
• Future Integration: Volvo will adopt NVIDIA DRIVE Thor, offering up to 1,000 TOPS and enhanced energy efficiency for future models.
• NVIDIA DGX Platform: Utilized for efficient AI training, enhancing Volvo’s autonomous driving technology.
• Sustainability Goals: Volvo aims for a fully electric lineup and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.