The Swedish automaker will combine its safety engineering expertise with Nvidia’s artificial intelligence (AI) and computing technologies, including its Hyperion sensor and computer architecture and autonomous-driving software stack, the companies said on Thursday.
The partnership comes as manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Ford work to advance automated driving, from hands-free highway travel to self-driving capabilities in restricted conditions.
Elon Musk-led Tesla is also pushing for broader approval of its assisted-driving technology in Europe, including urban environments.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang described the Volvo partnership as a significant opportunity, citing the automaker’s stringent safety standards.
He said that Volvo would gradually introduce new capabilities as the automaker gains confidence in the technology.
“As the car earns its trust and as Volvo becomes comfortable with the capabilities of the cars, they’ll continue to expand the services that are available. There’s no hurry, safety first,” Huang told reporters in Stockholm.
Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson echoed that cautious approach, saying the company would not deploy the technology under conditions it considered unsafe.
The system is ultimately expected to support hands-free driving on highways and in urban environments.
Volvo plans to introduce the technology in its vehicles before 2030, with a simultaneous launch across multiple regions, excluding China, according to Alwin Bakkenes, the company’s head of software engineering.
Volvo has yet to decide how the features will be priced.
However, Bakkenes said they would not be restricted to premium-priced models, potentially making the technology accessible across a wider section of the automaker’s lineup.
Majority-owned by China’s Geely Holding, Volvo is positioning safety as a central consideration in its automated-driving strategy.
Nvidia, meanwhile, has established partnerships with several manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover, and Hyundai, as it expands its presence in automotive computing.
The agreement strengthens Nvidia’s position in a market where software, AI computing, and vehicle safety are becoming increasingly important to automakers’ technology strategies.
Image Courtesy: Volvo Cars