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Nvidia’s Drive AGX Orin to Power Autonomous Cars Sooner than Expected

So we know Nvidia has been working on autonomous software for some time, but we didn’t know that it’s now ready and able to cover level 5 autonomy.
Nvidia Roborace Car 9 photos
Photo: Nvidia
Mercedes-Benz Vision EQSMercedes-Benz Vision AVTRMercedes-Benz Vision AVTRMercedes-Benz Vision AVTRMercedes-Benz Vision AVTRMercedes-Benz Vision EQSNvidia OrinNvidia Roborace Car
We all know of Nvidia as one of the biggest visual hardware and software manufacturer in the world. But for PC’s not cars. However, for a few years now, Nvidia have been shifting its focus and attention in automotive applications, developing a wide range of software and hardware that allow for next-gen cars to perform certain functions on their own. Limiting or even eliminating some levels of human contact and interaction.

Now Nvidia isn’t the only one doing this type of development. Other major companies such as Toyota with Yui, are in on the game too. But it's Nvidia that seems to be the most accessible in terms of development, applicability, and financial sustainability. To get an understanding of what this tech means for us, I’m going to go through a bit of information with you.

Mercedes\-Benz Vision EQS
Photo: Daimler AG
Now in terms of street ready vehicles, there are five levels of autonomy that may be displayed by software and hardware alike. Some of the levels we’ve been in contact with for a few years now. Level one autonomy serves functions such as cruise control and/or automated acceleration or braking.

At level two, assisted steering is possible. Much like on an airplane. But the downside is that in cars, driver attention is still a must, as quite a number of dangers can and do present themselves.

The next stage is level three autonomy. Unlike levels one and two, where driver attention is still required, level three presents us with the possibility of looking away and actually leaving steering maneuvers and functions to an onboard AI, as will be the case with BMW 2021 iNext.

Now don’t start thinking you can feed your baby in the back seat or take a nap. Unfortunately, within a few seconds the driver’s attention is required back at the helm. Because of this lack of time available for the driver, most companies don’t use level three functions except for some safety purposes, instead, focusing on level four.

Nvidia Orin
Photo: Nvidia
Level four offers the driver a much larger time-frame in which the driver can remain out of touch with the vehicle, heck, even himself. If a vehicle is equipped with level four tech, the driver is ultimately protected for a few minutes or so, allowing the vehicle to possibly pull over to a safe area, until the driver is conscious again.

And the final stage in this type of technology is level five. With level five tech, vehicles and AI systems eliminate the driver all-together. You don’t even need to be present to turn on your vehicle. We’ll talk about that at a different time.

Level five autonomy is able to function due to a large number of sensors, software, hardware, cameras and a wide range of other bells and whistles. But the major obstacle in all of this was information.

With such a large number or equipment running all at once, a processor or processors need to be analyzing a huge amount of information in real-time without fault. Think of it like this. Your brain does this effortlessly as it’s been evolving over millennia to do it.

Mercedes\-Benz Vision AVTR
Photo: Daimler AG
Our technology has only been processing a fraction of this information for what, 50 years? So it makes sense as to why this tech has been so hard to realize. Until now.

Nvidia with the Orin, processes 200 trillion operations per second, nearly seven times better than its previous Xavier SoC. This, according to experts in the field, is enough to attain level five autonomy. Strikingly enough and before expected, this software is ready to be used. So ready, that Mercedes-Benz has announced parnerships with Nvidia for future vehicles.

But, and this ‘but’ is a big one, our current infrastructure still doesn’t allow us to use this tech. we just don’t have all the necessary road treatments to safely begin this step. Even the Next pods presented in Dubai ran on somewhat of a controlled course during presentations.

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About the author: Cristian Curmei
Cristian Curmei profile photo

A bit of a nomad at heart (being born in Europe and raised in several places in the USA), Cristian is enamored with travel trailers, campers and bikes. He also tests and writes about urban means of transportation like scooters, mopeds and e-bikes (when he's not busy hosting our video stories and guides).
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