Kakao Mobility and Nvidia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving technology for Kia purpose-built vehicles (PBVs), initially drawing on operations in Seoul, South Korea.
The companies plan to combine Kakao Mobility’s software with Nvidia’s computing, sensing, and safety systems in Kia PBVs.
The collaboration is based on Kakao Mobility’s autonomous driving operations in Seoul’s Gangnam district and its mobility platform capabilities.
Kakao Mobility will use its proprietary autonomous driving AI model, while Nvidia will provide computing infrastructure and optimisation support for a L4 autonomous driving system intended to meet global standards.
Kakao Mobility CEO Ryu Geung-sun said: “Through this collaboration with Nvidia, we will not only accelerate the advancement of E2E [end-to-end] autonomous driving, but also prepare for the era of L4 commercialisation as the hub of the global technology ecosystem connecting software, components, and finished vehicles.”
The initial focus will be Kia PBVs.
Kakao Mobility and Kia reached an agreement in July covering PBV development for autonomous driving services.
Kia plans to prioritise the use of the combined technology in vehicles designed for L4 autonomous driving services.
Kakao Mobility plans to deploy an autonomous driving computing unit fitted with two Nvidia Drive AGX Thor units for real-time processing of large-scale AI workloads.
It also plans to use Nvidia’s Hyperion sensor and computing reference architecture to optimise connections between vehicles, sensors, and autonomous driving computing units.
The company intends to apply Nvidia Halos, Nvidia’s integrated safety system, in the development and validation of its autonomous driving software.
Nvidia automotive vice president Rishi Dhall added: “Nvidia Hyperion provides the sensor and computing technology foundation needed for L4 autonomous driving, while Nvidia Halos supports a comprehensive safety system throughout the entire process, from technology development to actual service application.”
Separately, Samsung Electronics is expanding its collaboration with Nvidia in semiconductor innovation through accelerated computing and AI physics.
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