MediaTek Partners With NVIDIA to Transform Automobiles With AI and Accelerated Computing

Software-defined, connected, intelligent cabin solutions coming to cars, from entry-level to premium.
by Danny Shapiro

MediaTek, a leading innovator in connectivity and multimedia, is teaming with NVIDIA to bring drivers and passengers new experiences inside the car.

The partnership was announced this week at a COMPUTEX press conference with MediaTek CEO Rick Tsai and NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang.

“NVIDIA is a world-renowned pioneer and industry leader in AI and computing. With this partnership, our collaborative vision is to provide a global one-stop shop for the automotive industry, designing the next generation of intelligent, always-connected vehicles,” said Tsai. “Through this special collaboration with NVIDIA, we will together be able to offer a truly unique platform for the compute-intensive, software-defined vehicle of the future.”

“AI and accelerated computing are fueling the transformation of the entire auto industry,” said Huang. “The combination of MediaTek’s industry-leading system-on-chip plus NVIDIA’s GPU and AI software technologies will enable new user experiences, enhanced safety and new connected services for all vehicle segments, from luxury to entry-level.”

MediaTek CEO Rick Tsai (left) and NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang (right). Image courtesy of MediaTek.

A Collaboration to Transform Automotive

The partnership combines the best competencies of each company to deliver the most compelling solutions for the next generation of connected vehicles.

“This is a combination of two companies with incredibly complementary skills,” Huang said during the press conference. “We’re partnering with one of the largest and most accomplished SoC companies in the world … We have MediaTek in our pockets, in our homes, and it’s great to be able to partner on this endeavor.”

Huang added that the car is a technology powerhouse, and the industry is at the very beginning of this transformation. 

“There will be countless computers in the car,” he said. “It will be software-defined, multimedia-rich, have incredible graphics and audio, and AI will define the entire experience — requiring a tremendous amount of technology to be successful. MediaTek has the portfolio, breadth and depth.”

Tsai added, “The partnership will provide the auto industry with great flexibility and simplicity that can provide the most comprehensive solutions in terms of functionality and scope.”

Today, NVIDIA offers GPUs for laptops, desktops, workstations and servers, along with systems-on-chips (SoCs) for automotive and robotics applications. With this new GPU chiplet, NVIDIA can extend its GPU and accelerated compute leadership across broader markets.

MediaTek will develop automotive SoCs and integrate the NVIDIA GPU chiplet, featuring NVIDIA AI and graphics intellectual property, into the design architecture. The chiplets are connected by an ultra-fast and coherent chiplet interconnect technology.

In addition, MediaTek will run the NVIDIA DRIVE OS, DRIVE IX, CUDA and TensorRT software technologies on these new automotive SoCs to enable connected infotainment and in-cabin convenience and safety functions. This partnership makes more in-vehicle infotainment options available to automakers on the NVIDIA DRIVE platform.

MediaTek will develop automotive SoCs for the MediaTek Dimensity Auto platform, integrating NVIDIA GPU chiplet, AI and graphics IP. Image courtesy of MediaTek.

By tapping NVIDIA’s core expertise in AI, cloud, graphics technology and software ecosystem, and pairing it with NVIDIA advanced driver assistance systems, MediaTek can bolster the capabilities of its Dimensity Auto platform.

A Rich Heritage of Innovation

This collaboration empowers MediaTek’s automotive customers to offer cutting-edge NVIDIA RTX graphics and advanced AI capabilities, plus safety and security features enabled by NVIDIA DRIVE software, for all types of vehicles. According to Gartner, the infotainment and instrument cluster SoCs used within vehicles is projected to reach $12 billion in 2023.*

MediaTek’s Dimensity Auto platform draws on its decades of experience in mobile computing, high-speed connectivity, entertainment and extensive Android ecosystem. The platform includes the Dimensity Auto Cockpit, which supports smart multi-displays, high-dynamic range cameras and audio processing, so drivers and passengers can seamlessly interact with cockpit and infotainment systems.

For well over a decade, automakers have been turning to NVIDIA to help modernize their vehicle cockpits, using its technology for infotainment systems, graphical user interfaces and touchscreens.

By integrating the NVIDIA GPU chiplet into its automotive offering, MediaTek aims to enhance the performance capabilities of its Dimensity Auto platform to deliver the most advanced in-cabin experience available in the market. The platform also includes Auto Connect, a feature that will ensure drivers remain wirelessly connected with high-speed telematics and Wi-Fi networking.

With today’s announcement, MediaTek aims to raise the bar even higher for its automotive offerings — delivering intelligent, connected in-cabin solutions that cater to the evolving needs and demands of customers, while providing a safe, secure and enjoyable experience in the car.

Tune in to the MediaTek press conference on demand to hear more from Tsai and Huang on this groundbreaking partnership designed to elevate the in-cabin experience and beyond.

*Gartner, Forecast Analysis: Automotive Semiconductors, Worldwide, 2021-2031; Table 1 – Automotive Semiconductor Forecast by Application (Billions of U.S. Dollars), January 18, 2023. Calculation performed by NVIDIA based on Gartner research.