Volvo Cars and NVIDIA, the leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) computing firm, are joining forces for the development of a highly advanced, AI-capable core computer for the next generation of Volvo cars.

The core computer is based on NVIDIA's DRIVE AGX Xavier technology and will allow Volvo Cars to implement an advanced computing platform for its new cars on the forthcoming Scalable Product Architecture 2 vehicle platform.

The first car with the new core computer will appear early next decade. The agreement will deepen the existing collaboration and partnership between Volvo Cars and NVIDIA. Last year the companies started joint development of advanced systems and software for self-driving cars.

The new computing platform will use NVIDIA's advances in AI as well as its unrivalled computing power, allowing Volvo Cars to take considerable steps forward in implementing advanced driver support systems, energy management technology and in-car personalisation options.

Adding advanced 360-degree perception capabilities and a driver monitoring system, the core computer will help Volvo Cars safely introduce fully autonomous cars.

"A successful launch of autonomous drive will require an enormous amount of computing power as well as constant advances in artificial intelligence," said Hakan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars. "Our agreement with NVIDIA is an important piece of that puzzle and helps us to safely introduce fully autonomous Volvo cars to our customers."

"As a world-leader in safety technology and innovation, Volvo understands there is a direct connection between safety, comfort, and the computing capability inside the vehicle," said Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of NVIDIA.