Landmark Deal for Wayve
Nissan has announced a significant partnership with Wayve, a UK-based startup that has garnered attention and investors for its automated driving system. The deal will see Nissan integrate Wayve’s self-driving software and sensors into its Advanced Driver-Assistance System (ADAS) known as ProPilot. The partnership is a landmark deal for Wayve, which has raised over $1.3 billion in funding from prominent investors such as Nvidia, Microsoft, SoftBank Group, and Uber.
- Nissan will integrate Wayve’s software and sensors into ProPilot, starting from 2027.
- The system will set a new standard for autonomous driving with advanced collision avoidance capability.
- Nissan didn’t disclose which models the system would be available in.
What Sets Wayve Apart
Wayve’s automated driving system is self-learning versus rules-based, similar to Tesla’s approach. The startup has developed an end-to-end data-driven learning approach for “eyes on” assisted driving and an “eyes off” fully automated driving system. Unlike Tesla, Wayve plans to sell its “Embodied AI” to automakers and other tech companies.
- Wayve’s self-learning approach is not reliant on specific sensors or HD maps.
- The automated driving software captures data from existing sensors like cameras and radar.
- Wayve’s system can work with existing sensors and is not limited to Nvidia’s Orin system-on-chip.
Benefits for Automakers
Wayve’s self-learning approach is particularly appealing to automakers because it’s not reliant on specific sensors or HD maps. This means Wayve’s system can work with existing sensors like cameras and radar. The automated driving software captures data from those sensors, which directly informs the driving decisions of the system.
| Advantages | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Flexibility and adaptability | Leveraging existing sensors and infrastructure |
| Cost-effectiveness | Running costs reduced |
| Scalability | Applicability to various applications |
Wayve’s CEO Alex Kendall on the Future of Autonomous Driving
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“Software that’s cheap to run and used in advanced driver-assistance systems, robotaxis, and even robotics. Our system can run on whatever GPU its OEM partners already have in their vehicles.” – Alex Kendall, Wayve’s CEO
Nissan’s CEO on the Partnership
“Leveraging Nissan’s technology and Wayve’s AI, we are confident it will allow future Nissan vehicles to closely replicate the judgment and actions of a careful and competent human driver in complex driving scenarios.” – Shiro Nagai, Nissan spokesperson
What’s Next for Nissan and Wayve
Nissan’s partnership with Wayve marks a significant step forward for autonomous driving capabilities. With the integration of Wayve’s software and sensors into ProPilot, Nissan aims to set a new standard for autonomous driving with advanced collision avoidance capability.
Level 2 System
Nissan’s ProPilot system will operate under driver supervision, operating as a Level 2 system. This means the system can automate multiple driving tasks such as steering and braking, but still requires a driver to maintain control at all times.
Future Applications
The partnership also opens up opportunities for Wayve’s Embodied AI to be used in various applications beyond autonomous vehicles. This includes advanced driver-assistance systems, robotaxis, and even robotics.
Conclusion
The partnership between Nissan and Wayve is a significant milestone in the development of autonomous driving capabilities. As the technology continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how this partnership shapes the future of the automotive industry.
