Advancements in AI over the past few years mean autonomous vehicles are the talking point at the Las Vegas show this year.
Nvidia is the name on everyone’s lips.
The U.S. chip manufacturer made multiple announcements at the tech trade show, not least that Toyota, Aurora, and Continental will all develop and build their consumer and commercial vehicle fleets on Nvidia’s accelerated computing and AI.
Their AI-powered solution for next-generation autonomous vehicles has already got Uber’s buy-in, with the ride-sharing giant being the first adopter. This week Toyota announced that its next-generation vehicles will be powered by Nvidia’s Drive AGX Orin supercomputer and safety-focused operating system, DriveOS.
Founded in 1993, Nvidia started life making chips for computer games. Today, they are powering AI, with a market value of more than $3 trillion. It’s expected that the company’s automotive hardware and software revenue will grow to $5 billion in the fiscal 2026. In his CES keynote address, Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s founder and CEO, outlined the industry’s transformation:
“The autonomous vehicle revolution has arrived, and automotive will be one of the largest AI and robotics industries.”
The chip giant is also addressing cybersecurity issues head on. Their autonomous vehicle platform — Nvidia Drive AGXTM Hyperion — has passed industry safety assessments and they have launched an “inspection lab” to ensure that automotive partner software and systems on the Nvidia Drive platform meet the industry’s safety and cybersecurity standards.
Waymo-Zeekr robotaxi
Chinese electric mobility brand Zeekr is in Las Vegas for the third time in its 4-year history. The brand is showcasing three new models they have scheduled for launch in 2025, as well as the Zeekr RT which partner Waymo has been testing on U.S. roads since last year.
This week people got a chance to take a closer look at the Waymo-Zeekr robotaxi including its advanced sensor pods on the front and back of the vehicle which include not only cameras but radar and lidar units too. Each pod is also supported by a specially designed cleaning system to keep the cameras clear of debris.
The Waymo-Zeekr vehicle is touted as the first mass-produced, purpose-built autonomous vehicle. For Waymo it’s expected to play a pivotal role in their plans to scale operations in the U.S. where a cost-effective, passenger-friendly vehicle could give them the edge in the robotaxi market. It also reflects the growing trend of partnerships between technology companies and traditional automakers as they race to develop and deploy autonomous vehicles.
Transport and agricultural brands leading the way
Varied and difficult edge cases mean automakers have a longer, more challenging road to automation than other transport sectors. Nonetheless, the headway agricultural and transport brands are showing at CES is impressive. Autonomous tractors, dump trucks, and even boats that dock themselves are all on display this year.
John Deere is showcasing several new autonomous machines that will support customers across agriculture, construction, and commercial landscaping. These “second-generation” models combine advanced computer vision, AI, and cameras to help the machines navigate their environments and deliver efficiencies in sectors where skilled labour is scarce. John Deere’s orchard tractor, for example, can spray insecticide six to eight times per year, helping to not only maintain but enhance productivity.
And of course let’s not forget the Boston Whaler — a 41-foot boat by Brunswick boat builders that has been nicknamed the “SUV of the seas”. It uses an automated docking system that combines lidar, AI, and six stereo cameras that are derived from military drone technology to help boat enthusiasts park up.
