Volvo Cars looks to Nvidia-powered software, ‘megacastings’ for future EVs By Reuters

By Nick Carey and Marie Mannes

(Reuters) – Volvo (OTC:) Vehicles will use a single software program system backed by highly effective chips from Nvidia (NASDAQ:) for all future fashions and can depend on “megacastings” to chop prices for electrical vehicles, the corporate mentioned on Thursday.

In releases forward of a deliberate investor occasion in Gothenburg, Volvo mentioned that beginning with its flagship electrical EX90 mannequin – which the Swedish automaker will start delivering to prospects this month – it is going to have a single “expertise stack” for all automotive fashions.

The EX90’s software program system is backed by Nvidia’s DRIVE Orin system-on-a-chip, which is able to over 250 trillion operations per second (TOPS) and will probably be changed later this decade by a chip able to 1,000 trillion TOPS, Volvo mentioned.

That software program will assist Volvo construct higher security methods for its vehicles and always enhance automobiles in circulation by way of over-the-air updates, Chief Engineering & Know-how Officer Anders Bell instructed Reuters.

Most main automakers say software-defined electrical automobiles (EVs) will present alternatives to generate billions of {dollars} in further income from promoting subscription companies, however Bell mentioned Volvo is not going to pursue that enterprise mannequin.

“The first objective is to make the automotive higher and have a extra sticky product, to not promote loads of subscriptions,” he mentioned.

Bell mentioned Volvo will depend on “megacastings”, which like gigacasting use large presses to make giant single aluminium items of car underbodies.

Utilizing these giant single items lowers prices as they change many particular person items that must be welded collectively.

Tesla (NASDAQ:) has been a pioneer in using gigacasting, with a rising variety of automakers together with Basic Motors (NYSE:) and Nissan (OTC:) following go well with.

Bell mentioned that by using megacasting, Volvo can even have the ability to enormously improve using recycled aluminium and cut back emissions all through its provide chain.