Seoul: Hyundai Motor Group has pushed back the launch of its own driver-assistance software to late 2029 as the automaker expands its partnership with Nvidia.
The South Korean automaker had originally planned to introduce its proprietary automated driving software in late 2027. The revised schedule highlights the challenges of developing advanced driving technology internally as Hyundai expands its partnership with US chipmaker Nvidia.
Hyundai vehicles using Nvidia’s Hyperion 10 platform will initially rely on cameras, ultrasonic sensors and radar instead of costly lidar equipment. Hyundai is also considering lidar for Level 3 systems. Level 3 technology can allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel under specific conditions.
Park Min-woo, Hyundai Motor Group President remarked that Hyundai and Nvidia will work together to introduce Level 2+ and Level 2++ advanced driver-assistance systems in 2028. Both systems still require driver supervision, although Level 2+ is designed for more capable assistance on highways while Level 2++ can support more complex urban driving.
Park noted that Hyundai will co-design the technology with Nvidia rather than become fully dependent on the chipmaker. Data collected through the Nvidia-powered systems will be used to train and improve Hyundai’s own software platform, known as Atria.
Park stressed the importance of sensor redundancy so that other sensors can maintain safe operation if one system fails. No timeline has been given for Level 3 commercialisation. The strategy represents a change in direction following the departure of former Hyundai executive Song Chang-hyeon in December.
Hyundai and affiliate Kia, which together rank as the world’s third-largest automaker by annual sales of more than 7 million vehicles, also plan to use data from their large global fleet to develop autonomous driving technology. Hyundai expects to surpass competitors in accumulated driving data by 2033.
The partnership with Nvidia now extends beyond autonomous driving. Hyundai Motor Group is also working with Nvidia on artificial intelligence data centres and humanoid robots developed by Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics.
POPULAR | Middle East conflict sends Australian fuel costs higher
