Saudi Arabia's homegrown electric vehicle (EV) brand Ceer has placed orders with Hon Hai Precision Technology (Foxconn) for Level 3 autonomous driving solutions powered by Nvidia's technology, according to industry sources.
Nvidia and Foxconn recently announced a strategic partnership in which the two parties will jointly develop an autonomous vehicle platform. In the future, vehicles produced by Foxconn will be equipped with Nvidia electronic control units (ECU) and sensors.
Nvidia has been working with Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Audi, and China-based Geely Automobile subsidiary Zeekr on Level 3 autonomous driving systems, sources said.
By working with Nvidia, Foxconn is able to enter the field of Level 3 self-driving and secure the strict qualifications required to compete.
Ceer, a joint venture between Foxconn and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), recently announced it will spend SAR359 million (US$95.6 million) to construct an EV manufacturing plant in the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), which is expected to break ground in early 2023 and begin production in 2025.
Ceer will build a range of advanced sedans and SUVs at the plant.
According to sources, Ceer will use Nvidia's autonomous driving system module platform produced by Foxconn, which will become an important outlet for Foxconn to enter Level 3.
Nvidia has long been involved in the automotive sector and maintains close relationships with international automakers. In recent years it has faced increased competition and lost orders to Intel Mobileye and Qualcomm. In response, Nvidia is expanding its customer base.
Foxconn is focusing on orders from startups and already has orders from Lordstown, Fisker, Monarch, and Indi EV.
According to data from Nvidia, cumulative design orders for Nvidia Drive will exceed US$11 billion in the next six years, with more than 25 automakers using the Nvidia Drive Orin system-on-chip (SoC). Twenty of the world's top 30 automakers are using Nvidia's Drive Orin as their AI computing platform. Major customers currently include Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai Motor, Nio, BYD, Jaguar, and Land Rover.
Article translated by Eifeh Strom
