Nvidia provides MediaTek with its "next-generation" AI chip for novel automotive SoCs

[Alfonso Maruccia]

A hot potato: Nvidia has been attempting to license its GPU technology to third-party chip manufacturers for quite some time. Taiwanese fabless chipmaker MediaTek has now announced a new partnership with the GPU giant to bring new "experiences" and AI edge capabilities to cars.

MediaTek is introducing a new line of SoC units for the automotive industry, featuring Nvidia's powerful GPU acceleration capabilities for in-car entertainment, AI, and other edge computing applications. The Dimensity Auto Cockpit chips were announced during the latest edition of Nvidia's GPU Technology Conference, comprising four different units (CX-1, CY-1, CM-1, CV-1) catering to a range of vehicles from "premium" (CX-1) to entry-level (CV-1).

The new platform is based on Armv9-A CPU cores and a 3nm manufacturing process. According to MediaTek, it is specifically designed to meet the demands of the automotive market. Nvidia licensed its "next-gen GPU," possibly Blackwell or another iteration, to provide the new SoCs with advanced features like ray-tracing graphics and DLSS3.

Nvidia's technology will enable AI algorithms to run directly in the car without the need for a cloud connection. Drivers will have access to LLM-based chatbots and generative AI capabilities through a unified platform encompassing both hardware and software components.

Nvidia will provide a "familiar" software platform for developers with DRIVE OS, CUDA, TensorRT, and Nsight support, enabling carmakers to integrate AI processing across various applications. Specific scenarios described by MediaTek include faster response times, enhanced reliability, a natural user interface, 3D spatial sensing capabilities, personalization, and driver identification. Next-gen entertainment is assured, with AI-enhanced video feeds and AAA gaming experiences.

The new Dimensity Auto Cockpit chipsets are highly integrated, MediaTek said, with built-in multi-camera features for a wide variety of "safety applications." Audio processing (DSP) is also included, with support for the latest voice assistants, providing drivers with an easy way to control the infotainment system without diverting their attention from the steering wheel.

According to MediaTek SVP Jerry Yu, generative AI is significantly impacting the automotive industry after revolutionizing the mobile market. Computing experiences are now more personalized and intuitive, Yu suggests, and the same revolution will occur in vehicles thanks to AI-infused platforms like Dimensity Auto Cockpit.

Meanwhile, safety authorities are advocating for car manufacturers to reintroduce physical buttons because touch screens are deemed insecure. Perhaps we should ask a chatbot to help solve that issue?

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https://www.techspot.com/news/102354-nvidia-provides-mediatek-next-generation-ai-chip-novel.html

 

[daffy duck]

Sad to see clowns that have no idea of what driving is about turning cars into mobile living rooms devoid of any actual motoring enjoyment. Most modern EV's have appalling interior designs with garbage giant ipad touchscreen crap, garbage quality seats, and are as enticing as a mortuary slab. Now infest that garbage with AI and why bother leaving home. Just wear some VR goggles and get in your virtual car to visit the virtual shops and your virtual friends.

 

[umeng2002]

At least some countries are requiring physical buttons now. Touch screens in a car or any other moving transport is beyond dumb.

 

[Disiw]

At least some countries are requiring physical buttons now. Touch screens in a car or any other moving transport is beyond dumb.

Head up display is gold tho.

The steering wheel should have physical buttons.

 

[Disiw]

Sad to see clowns that have no idea of what driving is about turning cars into mobile living rooms devoid of any actual motoring enjoyment. Most modern EV's have appalling interior designs with garbage giant ipad touchscreen crap, garbage quality seats, and are as enticing as a mortuary slab. Now infest that garbage with AI and why bother leaving home. Just wear some VR goggles and get in your virtual car to visit the virtual shops and your virtual friends.

A huge screen is great for GPS and navigation in general.

Every new car, EV or not, pretty much has that.

 

[Jerry in WA]

I think how a screen is implemented is the key. It should not replace physical controls but augment them.

There's nothing inherently wrong with screens in cars. Both our cars have a full screen electric dash (as well as HUD and large screen for nav/media) and I never want to go back. The interface to interact with a screen depends on the car; some cars force way too much screen touching (like Tesla) while others allow you to also operate via a controller, voice commands or hand gestures (like BMW).

As for AI in my car, I'm not sure why I'd want/need that.