U.S. chip manufacturer Nvidia is reportedly developing its own robotaxi platform and could reveal the project soon, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move would mark a significant expansion of Nvidia’s role in the autonomous driving ecosystem, where it is already a major technology partner and investor.
Long known primarily for its graphics processing units (GPUs), Nvidia has evolved into a leading provider of artificial intelligence hardware and software, supplying key systems for autonomous driving. Its DRIVE platform — a suite combining hardware, software, and simulation tools — is widely used by automakers and suppliers to design, train, and deploy advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicle technologies.
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This transition has made Nvidia a critical supplier for next-generation automotive systems. The company counts Mercedes-Benz, Volvo Cars, Jaguar Land Rover, BYD, Rivian, Lucid, and Xiaomi among its automotive partners. Nvidia also invested in robotaxi developer Nuro earlier this year, and has maintained long-standing partnerships with major suppliers such as Continental and Bosch.
Industry reports suggest Nvidia’s upcoming robotaxi project will be built on its DRIVE AGX Thor computing platform, employing a unified neural network architecture to manage autonomous driving functions. The initiative is reportedly led by Ruchi Bhargava, a senior director at Nvidia, and was announced internally during a recent all-hands meeting.
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An insider cited by Chinese technology news outlet 36Kr said Nvidia’s entry into the robotaxi space “is not only for business expansion but also to introduce a technical model for a robotaxi.” The report added that Nvidia plans to invest about $3 billion in the initiative, which could launch in select U.S. cities in the coming years.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has previously described autonomous vehicles as “the first major commercial application of robotics” and a “trillion-dollar industry.” Analysts say the company’s deep expertise in AI computing, simulation, and sensor integration gives it a strong foundation to compete in the autonomous mobility sector, whether as a platform provider or potential fleet operator.
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What remains unclear is whether Nvidia intends to operate robotaxis itself or develop a reference platform for automakers and mobility partners, similar to Foxconn’s role in contract manufacturing for electric vehicles.
If launched, Nvidia would enter a market currently dominated by Google’s Waymo in the United States and by Pony.ai, Baidu’s Apollo Go, WeRide, and Momenta in China. Despite the sector’s early-stage status, the company’s financial resources and AI leadership could position it as a major new force in the global autonomous vehicle industry.
Source: 36kr.com