GPS, Audi teams up with NVIDIA for next-gen MMI replete with Google Earth, Vibrante entertainment system
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted January 7th 2010 3:31PM
posted January 7th 2010 3:31PM
As if NVIDIA hasn't been busy enough this year, what with its next generation Tegra chips and all, looks like the kids have inked a deal with Audi to supply the GPU for its new in-dash navigation and entertainment system. The 3G MMI system sports something called the Vibrante engine for dual zone entertainment (allowing different media on dash and backseat monitors), as well as Google Earth, 3D topography, real-time traffic reporting and navigation, iPod, SD card, USB memory stick support, and online video via the optional EDGE modem (funny, mums the word on handwriting recognition). This bad boy starts shipping with the Audi A8 in 2011, and moves on to all of the manufacturer's cars in the model year 2012. PR after the break.
NVIDIA and Audi Marry Silicon Valley Technology With German Engineering
NVIDIA GPUs Power Navigation and Entertainment Systems in 2010 Audi Vehicles
LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - January 7, 2010) - 2010 INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW (South Hall 4 -- Booth #35912) -- NVIDIA and Audi announced today that NVIDIA® GPUs power the navigation and entertainment systems in all 2010 Audi vehicles worldwide.
This marriage of Silicon Valley technology and German engineering introduces cutting-edge GPUs to the automotive industry, enabling advanced visual capabilities such as full 3D navigation with advanced driver assistance and safety systems, and a "dual zone" entertainment system that enables two videos to be shown simultaneously on different screens.
The navigation and entertainment system in the new Audi 2010 product line is the 3G MMI, and it uses NVIDIA GPUs to process and generate all visual imagery. The built-in navigation system features 3D topography of buildings and cities, and real-time traffic reporting and navigation information given as audible route-guidance prompts and turn arrows via the color driver information system. This system can recognize complex scenarios and make anticipatory decisions to assist the driver, enhancing their ability to drive more safely.
In addition, NVIDIA worked with Audi to develop a complete multimedia engine called Vibrante that serves as the media backbone of 3G MMI. The Vibrante multimedia engine allows Audi passengers to watch DVDs; listen to music from an iPod, CD, SD card or USB memory stick; and enjoy online video content.
As another automotive-industry first, the Vibrante engine supports "dual zone" entertainment with a single GPU, enabling passengers to simultaneously enjoy two different movies on two different screens on the backseat monitors.
"Visual computing has become key differentiator among luxury cars, whether it's delivering the necessary information to the driver or offering state-of-the-art entertainment options to the passengers," said Johan de Nysschen, president, Audi of America. "We partnered with NVIDIA because it is clearly the leader in this field."
NVIDIA and Audi also worked with Google to enable Google Earth on future 3G MMI systems powered by NVIDIA GPUs, beginning in the flagship Audi A8 in 2011. Google Earth is based on a technology developed by Keyhole, a company NVIDIA invested in and Google later acquired. The result of this three-way partnership is an industry first -- a stunning 3D navigation system with detailed terrain models, snappy performance, 3D landmarks and a highly intuitive visual interface.
The Google-based service enables drivers to plan trips at home and then retrieve the trip routes from their car as needed. Users can also search for points-of-interest directly from the 3G MMI. This will be the first time that Google Earth will be available in any production vehicle.
In addition, the next generation NVIDIA® Tegra™ ultra low-power HD mobile processors will drive the advanced entertainment and navigation systems in all 2012 Audi vehicles, as well as other Volkswagen AG brands, including Volkswagen, Bentley, Lamborghini, SEAT and SKODA, in varying levels of functionality. Next-generation NVIDIA Tegra processors are architected to deliver rich 3D visuals, unmatched multimedia and a complete web experience on a variety of devices. Tegra's eight individual processors will help Audi consolidate two completely different electronics systems with separate boxes into one tiny chip. Tegra will also increase system performance and lower power consumption by 10x in Audi's entertainment and navigation systems, for increased fuel efficiency.
"The primary focus of car computing is safety," said Jen-Hsun Huang, president and chief executive officer, NVIDIA. "With the power of Tegra's eight processors, the car's computing system can have cameras both inside and outside the vehicle monitoring the driver and the road, providing real-time feedback and guiding you to your next destination, all at the same time."
NVIDIA technology has been used in the automotive industry for more than a decade. Since the launch of its Quadro™ line for workstations in 1999, the company has been the undisputable leader in graphics technology for a variety of applications, from the design of vehicles, engines and other body components, to online advertising systems and point-of-sale terminals. In 2006, NVIDIA delivered its Tesla™ line based on the CUDA™ architecture for high-performance computing applications such as crash simulation and computational fluid dynamics.
With today's announcement, NVIDIA completes the circle of innovation in automotive visual computing and brings its GPU technology to premium in-vehicle navigation and entertainment systems.
About Audi of America
Audi of America Inc. and its 270 dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi line up is one of the freshest in the industry with 23 models, including 12 models launched during model years 2008 and 2009. Audi is among the most successful brands globally. In selling one million vehicles worldwide in 2008, AUDI AG recorded its 13th consecutive record year for sales and profits. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.
About NVIDIA
NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) awakened the world to the power of computer graphics when it invented the graphics processing unit (GPU) in 1999. Since then, it has consistently set new standards in visual computing with breathtaking, interactive graphics available on devices ranging from portable media players to notebooks to workstations. NVIDIA's expertise in programmable GPUs has led to breakthroughs in parallel processing which make supercomputing inexpensive and widely accessible. Fortune magazine has ranked NVIDIA #1 in innovation in the semiconductor industry for two years in a row. For more information, see www.nvidia.com.
Just EDGE? No 3G?
@samnesral: I didn't read about EDGE anywhere in the press release. In fact, it says, "the new Audi 2010 product line is the 3G MMI." Weird. Engadget messed up the last time they wrote about this too.
@kempcross They mean the third generation of MMI
@mrbucket Maybe, but this press release says nothing about EDGE and the previous press release stated that the 2011 will have 3G, not EDGE. Just wondering why these posts keep getting it wrong and are never updated.
even if it had 3G you can only goto either 1 EDGE of a continent or another even with Google earth ...
Wasn't this already announced? I distinctly remember that picture and the features that this system is going to have, being in an old engadget article.
@Link2877 I think Audi announced their new 3G MMI and it was posted on here but they didn't go into the technology behind it. Now nVidia is announcing they are powering it.
Fuck, I want this, and I don't even have a car.
That map looks amazing.
Holy crap. It's about time a carmaker teamed up with people who knew something about electronics.
One problem cars face is the long testing cycles mean that the electronics are outdated years before the car ever hits showrooms. Hopefully if they keep things modular enough, they'll be able to test and build the entertainment system separately, and just plug 'n play those new components into the car shortly before release.
@UnixSystemsEngineer
Ummm... all the car makers team up with someone who "knows" something about electronics". Alpine makes Honda/Acura units, Fujistsu/Denso (and Pioneer sometimes) makes units for Toyota, Siemens/Becker makes them for BMW...the list goes on.
Why can't they put the data from Google Earth on a large SSD? Then it wouldn't need the phone network and the data transfer lag.
The paranoid people also wouldn't worry about Google tracking their movement.
@rcappo Google probably wants to know usage. As you, I'm not too keen on needing a phone network. I mean the GPS is not always reliable and the GSM network is not always reliable either... If we combine both factors :s
The Google cars have probably not been outside fashionable areas, so the system would be cute looking in cities. I mean a Motorway is boring!