Mercedes-Benz Will Build Cars on Nvidia's AI Platform

I'm still mourning the breakup of the "das Frenemies" self-driving alliance, but Mercedes-Benz has already moved on.

On Tuesday, the German automaker and Nvidia announced they're teaming up to build a Tesla-like automotive platform. Starting in 2024, Mercedes will build its entire fleet on Nvidia AI hardware. Car owners will be able to subscribe to self-driving features and other options à la carte as they arrive.

Making cars upgradeable

Tesla has led the pack with over-the-air (OTA) software updates that unlock new features. At an event last night, Ford said its redesigned F-150 is the first full-size pickup with OTA updates. It will also be the first pickup with an automated driving feature, Active Driver Assist, available to customers next year OTA.

• I'm wondering: What do software-run cars mean for depreciation and dealerships?

Big picture: Nvidia has found a winning combination supplying AI hardware to vehicle manufacturers creating self-driving software. By starting the buildout in 2024, Mercedes is giving itself leeway to perfect the technology.