Nvidia and MediaTek said on Monday they would work together to develop technology to power advanced vehicle infotainment systems that can stream video or games or use artificial intelligence to interact with drivers.
Under the agreement announced at Computex in Taipei, MediaTek will integrate Nvidia graphics processing unit chiplets and Nvidia software into systems on a chip that provide infotainment displays to automakers.
MediaTek systems using Nvidia software will be compatible with autonomous driving systems based on Nvidia technology, the companies said. A dashboard display shows the vehicle’s surroundings, while cameras monitor the driver.
“The auto industry needs strong companies that can work with the industry for decades,” Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang said at a news conference in Taipei, noting that automakers have long product cycles.
“The quality, strength and stature of our two companies can provide automotive industry partners with a foundation on which to build their own companies,” he said, adding that the collaboration would provide chips that can power “every part of the car.”
In-car displays and entertainment systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated as automakers add features such as gaming, artificial intelligence for voice-activated features, driver monitoring systems and displays related to autonomous driving.
Qualcomm, MediaTek’s main rival in the smartphone market, has also been courting automakers. Qualcomm and SalesForce announced a collaboration earlier this year to develop a new connected car platform.
The partnership with MediaTek gives Nvidia wider access to the $12 billion (approximately Rs 99,000 crore) infotainment system chip market, the companies said.
Nvidia focuses on high-end car brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar Land Rover. MediaTek builds on the Android smartphone chip field, selling its Dimensity automotive technology into a line of lower-priced, mass-market cars and has strengths in mobile connectivity and Android systems.
“They’re solving a lot of market segments that Nvidia hasn’t solved yet,” said Danny Shapiro, vice president of Nvidia’s automotive business.
These companies have not identified future automotive customers.
© Thomson Reuters 2023
