Volvo is set to introduce an innovative technology stack known as Superset, which is integral to the development of its software-defined vehicles. This new approach will debut with the ES90 electric vehicle, scheduled for unveiling on March 5. The ES90 will be the first Volvo model equipped with dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin hardware, designed to enhance safety and performance using data, software, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Understanding the Superset Tech Stack
The Superset tech stack is a comprehensive set of hardware and software components that will support all future electric vehicles from Volvo. The company views this integration as a significant shift in its ability to develop software that elevates safety, technology, and overall vehicle performance across their lifecycle. Volvo emphasizes that the Superset tech stack will allow for faster deployment of improvements, including over-the-air updates for all models utilizing this technology.
The Nvidia Drive AGX Orin hardware can process 508 trillion operations per second, powering AI-driven active safety features, vehicle sensors, and optimized battery management systems. As a result, Volvo expects to increase the size of its deep learning models from 40 million to 200 million parameters over time. “This enhancement will occur as we gather more data and refine the models, ultimately aiming to improve customer experience and safety,” the company stated.
Advanced Safety Features
The integration of Nvidia’s hardware allows the ES90 to effectively interpret its environment through an advanced array of sensors, which includes a lidar, five radar units, eight cameras, and 12 ultrasonic sensors, along with an advanced driver understanding system. Volvo has designed these systems to enhance safety by identifying obstacles—even in low-light conditions—and initiating proactive safety measures like collision avoidance.
Anders Bell, Volvo’s Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, commented on the advancements, stating, “We are innovating across all technology domains to lead in software-defined vehicles, focusing our engineering efforts on creating exceptional cars that improve over time. By leveraging our core computing capabilities alongside the Superset tech stack, we can build safer cars more efficiently than ever before.”
Future Developments and Benefits
The ES90 is the second vehicle built on the Superset tech stack, following the EX90, which was the initial model to incorporate this framework. This stack will shape the forthcoming lineup of Volvo electric vehicles, enabling simultaneous enhancements across models. Consequently, owners of the ES90 and EX90 will be able to benefit from software upgrades across both vehicles.
Volvo is positioning the Superset stack as a revolutionary method to create value through software rather than traditional hardware approaches. The hardware configuration of Nvidia Drive AGX Orin will also be featured in new EX90 cars, replacing older Drive AGX configurations. Current EX90 owners will receive complimentary upgrades to their vehicles.
