CES 2010: Now, NVIDIA Graphics Powers The Audi

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.

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.

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. The result of this three-way partnership is  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  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.