Nvidia’s AI Powers Audi’s Level 3 Self-Driving A8
Audi’s upcoming A8 will be the first production car to feature Level 3 self-driving capabilities, and it’s Nvidia’s technology that’s making it possible. The A8 will use six Nvidia processors to power its “traffic jam pilot” autonomous system, as well as its infotainment, virtual cockpit, and backseat entertainment features.
The “traffic jam pilot” system allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel and relax in certain conditions, specifically while driving at 37 mph or under on a highway with a physical divider. The system will notify drivers when they need to resume manual control.
This is a significant step forward from current highway driving assistance features like Tesla’s Autopilot, which is classified as a Level 2 system and requires the driver to remain attentive and ready to resume control at all times.
Nvidia’s processor is the “brain” of Audi’s zFAS system, which is the computer that handles driver assistance on the A8. It takes sensor data from the vehicle’s radar, cameras, laser scanning, and ultrasound sensors to create a fused picture of the road and process it at a rate of 2.5 billion inputs per second.
Level 3 autonomy is controversial in the self-driving world because it allows drivers to relax but can’t handle all driving operations, unlike Level 4 vehicles. Audi’s confidence in the A8’s “traffic jam pilot” capabilities marks a significant step in the development of self-driving technology.
