As Level 3, 4 and 5 autonomous driving becomes the target hastening the next transformation of transportation, Jaguar Land Rover announced Wednesday it is partnering with Santa Clara, California-based Nvidia to jointly develop Jaguar Land Rover’s next generation of AI-enabled automotive software.
“Our long-term strategic partnership with Nvidia will unlock a world of potential for our future vehicles as the business continues its transformation into a truly global, digital powerhouse,” said Thierry Bolloré, Jaguar Land Rover chief executive officer.
“Jaguar Land Rover will become the creator of the world’s most desirable luxury vehicles and services for the most discerning customers.”
AI advances coming mid-decade
All Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles will be built on the “Nvidia Drive” software-defined platform starting in 2025, the same time that Jaguar’s line of vehicles go fully electric. It will allow JLR to customize its AI experience to provide a number of active safety, automated driving, and parking systems, as well as provide driver assistance systems. Inside, the automaker says Nvidia Drive will deliver driver and occupant monitoring as well as advanced visualization of the vehicle’s environment as part of its AI functionality.
The system will use Drive Orin, a system on a chip similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Chip. The automaker asks that you consider Drive Orin as the AI brain of the car, running the Jaguar Land Rover Operating System, while Drive Hyperion is the central nervous system.
“Next-generation cars will transform automotive into one of the largest and most advanced technology industries. Fleets of software-defined, programmable cars will offer new functionalities and services for the life of the vehicles,” said Jensen Huang, Nvidia founder and CEO. “We are thrilled to partner with Jaguar Land Rover to reimagine the future of transportation and create the most advanced cars.”
The road ahead for AI-enhanced Jaguars
In May 2020, Jaguar Land Rover announced a long‑term strategic partnership with Waymo to develop self‑driving electric vehicles for Waymo’s driverless transportation service using the Jaguar I‑Pace. The agreement called for 20,000 Waymo Jaguar I-Paces using Waymo’s self-driving technology.
“Jaguar Land Rover has developed an all-new battery-electric platform that looks to set a new standard in safety, design and capability,” said John Krafcik, Waymo’s CEO at the time.
Currently, the fleet is running in California.
Jaguar Land Rover is not alone
But the Coventry, England-based automaker isn’t alone in seeking out help with AI.
Automakers currently partnering with Nvidia for AI solutions includes Audi, Hyundai Motor Group, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo cars and neophyte EV startup Nio, as well as Navistar and Volvo trucks. Even GM’s Cruise subsidiary is partnering with the firm, as are such Tier 1 suppliers as Bosch, Continental and ZF.
Jaguar Land Rover’s road ahead
Jaguar Land Rover was one of the first automakers to offer a long-range all-electric vehicle, the I-Pace SUV. And now, the British automaker is planning for all Jaguars to be battery-electric vehicles by 2025. So any self-driving technology would be a natural fit for them. For Land Rover, it’s a more nuanced transition.
As part of its new “Reimagine” strategy, JLR Chief Executive Thierry Bolloré said Monday that Land Rover will offer six battery electric vehicles by mid-decade, with the first model arriving in 2024. The company expects EVs to generate 60% of Land Rover’s volume by 2030.
But one vehicle being developed has been dropped: an all-electric Jaguar XJ, an all-electric version of its flagship sedan. “Although the nameplate may be retained, the planned Jaguar XJ replacement will not form part of the line-up, as the brand looks to realize its unique potential,” said the company in a statement.
But Jaguar Land Rover appears to be focused on an electrified future, along with a healthy dose of autonomous driving capability — both on-road and off.
“Collaboration and knowledge-sharing with industry leader Nvidia is essential to realizing our Reimagine strategy, setting new benchmarks in quality, technology and sustainability,” Bolloré said. “It’s time to re-imagine the next chapter for both brands.”
