Jensen Huang (Nvidia Co-founder) – CES Talk with Mercedes on “Connectivity” (Jan 2017)

Chapters

Abstract

The Future of Mobility: AI and the Mercedes-Benz-NVIDIA Partnership

Introduction: Revolutionizing the Automotive Industry with AI

The automotive industry is undergoing a transformative era, driven by advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and strategic partnerships between leading companies. One such partnership is between Mercedes-Benz and NVIDIA, which has been at the forefront of integrating AI into automobiles. This article explores the partnership’s key aspects, focusing on Mercedes-Benz’s CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric) vision, the role of AI in driving these innovations, and the challenges and opportunities of AI in the automotive sector.

Guy Kawasaki’s Role in Highlighting Innovations

Guy Kawasaki, a former Apple evangelist and current chief evangelist at Canva, serves as a crucial link in showcasing and moderating discussions about these technological advancements. His participation in events like CES demonstrates the practical application of technology, particularly in the context of Mercedes-Benz’s vision for sustainable mobility and the future of automobiles. Guy Kawasaki’s inspiring talks provide valuable insights into the automotive industry’s future.

The Four Pillars of Mercedes-Benz’s Future: CASE

The future of Mercedes-Benz is captured in the acronym CASE, representing the company’s focus on Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric vehicles. This vision is a comprehensive approach to automotive innovation, combining technological advancements to redefine the driving experience. AI plays a central role in realizing the CASE vision, enabling features like autonomous driving and optimizing electric vehicles. Sajjad Khan, Head of Digital Vehicle and Mobility at Mercedes-Benz, emphasizes the practical applications of AI in vehicles, such as predictive recommendations for destinations based on user preferences and driving behavior. Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, explains NVIDIA’s history in developing extreme computing platforms and their breakthrough in deep learning, which revolutionized AI capabilities. Huang and Khan discuss the collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and NVIDIA, utilizing deep learning algorithms to bring AI into the automotive sector and enhance the driving experience.

AI as the Backbone of CASE

AI is the cornerstone of achieving the CASE vision. It has a transformative impact on all four pillars, enabling autonomous driving, enhancing electric vehicle functionality, and contributing to a connected, shared automotive environment. Sajjad Khan underscores the brand’s commitment to AI, emphasizing its practical applications in enhancing user experience through contextual and predictive capabilities.

Jensen Huang: Shaping the AI Landscape

Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, a leader in AI computing platforms, brings his expertise to this partnership. His insights into deep learning illustrate how AI has revolutionized computing, enabling advancements in areas like natural language processing and image recognition, integral to modern automobile technology.

The Synergy of Mercedes-Benz and NVIDIA

The collaboration between these two giants has been pivotal in integrating AI into the automotive industry. Their shared vision has led to the creation of innovative AI car concepts, merging NVIDIA’s AI prowess with Mercedes-Benz’s automotive expertise.

AI-Enhanced Driving Experience

Jensen Huang describes how AI in Mercedes-Benz vehicles enhances driving. AI-driven sensors monitor surroundings and driver behavior, aiding in driving, enabling autonomous mode, and preventing accidents, thus elevating safety and user experience. NVIDIA elaborates on the S-Class’s “eyes” and sensors, providing constant awareness of its surroundings and the driver. This real-time sensing enables the S-Class to serve as a co-pilot, assisting in driving, taking over in self-driving mode, or intervening to prevent harmful maneuvers.

Challenges and Strategic Solutions in AI Integration

Integrating AI into automobiles presents challenges, as acknowledged by Sajjad Khan. The key to success lies in selecting the appropriate technologies and forming strategic partnerships to develop products that resonate with customer needs and preferences. Sajjad Khan identifies the challenge of integrating the best available technologies from various sources into a cohesive and successful product that meets customer needs. He describes the challenge of integrating diverse technologies, such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, connectivity, and big data, into a single product. Mercedes-Benz and NVIDIA collaborate to develop a product that combines these elements under the umbrella of digitalization.

The Product Development Journey

The partnership’s product isn’t merely an add-on; it represents a holistic transformation of a car into an AI vehicle. Teams from both companies have collaborated closely, sharing knowledge and expertise to develop a seamless, integrated product. Khan emphasizes the importance of moving away from traditional supplier-customer relationships and instead fostering close partnerships between companies. He believes such partnerships are essential for bringing innovative products to market. Khan reveals that the teams from Mercedes-Benz and NVIDIA are sharing knowledge and expertise, rather than keeping secrets from each other. This open collaboration enables them to create a holistic solution that addresses the automotive industry’s specific needs.

Shared Vision and Long-Term Collaboration

The partnership, driven by a shared vision for the future of AI cars, has been ongoing for three years, with a product set to be released shortly. This collaboration extends beyond a typical supplier-customer relationship, emphasizing mutual understanding and shared goals. The partnership between Mercedes-Benz and NVIDIA aims to create a product that will revolutionize the automotive industry and meet customers’ expectations. The companies work closely to develop a solution that will redefine the driving experience.

Innovative Features and Continuous Evolution

The new Mercedes-Benz models feature an innovative computing platform that allows for continuous software evolution, enabling the car to learn and improve over time. This platform facilitates over-the-air updates, providing customers with the latest advancements and enhancing in-car productivity and efficiency. The collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and NVIDIA is characterized by close collaboration between teams from both companies. The teams work together on every aspect of the product, from hardware to software, to ensure a seamless integration of technologies.

Supercomputing and AI-Powered Efficiency

The integration of a supercomputer in the car enables real-time processing of data from high-resolution sensors, handling functionalities like autonomous driving, in-cabin interaction, and natural language understanding. AI powers intelligent suggestions, enhancing the driving experience. The partnership between Mercedes-Benz and NVIDIA also involves collaboration with Bosch, focusing on data collection, algorithms, and software development for the AI car supercomputer. This collaboration is crucial in developing a purpose-built computing platform specifically designed for automotive applications.

Leading the AI-Driven Future

In conclusion, the integration of AI in automobiles, spearheaded by the Mercedes-Benz and NVIDIA partnership, is transforming the automotive landscape. With a focus on the CASE architecture and leveraging AI’s potential, Mercedes-Benz enhances the driving experience and shapes the future of automotive technology. This transformation, marked by challenges and innovative solutions, represents a significant leap forward in how we perceive and interact with vehicles, promising a safer, more enjoyable, and efficient future in mobility.

Notes by: Ain