[DigitalToday reporter Jae-won Choi] Volvo is developing an assisted driving system using Nvidia's AI technology that would allow drivers to travel from a starting point to a destination without holding the steering wheel. It aims to expand support beyond highways to complex city streets and pursue commercialisation before 2030.

The Verge reported on Oct. 15 local time that Volvo plans to expand cooperation with Nvidia and introduce partially automated driving features similar to Tesla's Full Self-Driving (supervised). The new system is at a so-called Level 2++ standard. It is designed to let the vehicle judge the route and handle steering, acceleration and braking even in cities with traffic lights, stop signs and unprotected left turns.

Drivers must keep watching the surroundings and intervene immediately when needed. It is distinct from full autonomous driving that shifts driving responsibility to the vehicle.

Key technologies are Nvidia's Hyperion platform and Alpamayo software. A high-performance in-vehicle computer and various sensors detect the surroundings. AI inference models interpret complex road situations and determine the driving route. The initial configuration does not include a lidar sensor, but the possibility of adding one later remains open.

Volvo will also combine its own driver condition analysis technology and a feature for sharing risk information between vehicles. The idea is to widen awareness beyond what an individual vehicle's sensors can detect by receiving information on roadworks or hazards detected by other vehicles.

The partnership is also a move to make up for setbacks in its existing autonomous driving development. Volvo has effectively put on hold the introduction of its Level 3 autonomous driving system Ride Pilot after failing to secure regulatory approval in the United States.

Volvo plans to expand the new technology from entry-level to high-end models. It did not disclose the first models to receive it or a specific release date.

It also plans to advance the system to gradually reduce driver intervention. Actual functions and where they can be used are expected to vary depending on technical validation and regulatory approval by country.