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Nvidia and auto suppliers roll out partnerships to revive stalled self-driving ambitions

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After years of costly failures and repeated delays, the self-driving car industry is once again pushing forward as chipmakers, technology firms and auto suppliers bet that artificial intelligence and deep partnerships can reignite progress. Companies including Nvidia are positioning themselves at the center of this renewed effort, even as automakers remain cautious about costs, scalability and consumer demand.

Fully autonomous vehicles promise to transform transportation, but delivering systems safe enough for public roads has proved far more complex and expensive than initially expected. While a handful of players such as Waymo and Tesla have chosen to pursue in-house development, legacy automakers including General Motors and Ford Motor have pulled back from their own fully autonomous programs.

At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, a wave of new collaborations signaled fresh momentum. Amazon Web Services and German supplier Aumovio announced a partnership to support the commercial rollout of self-driving vehicles. Autonomous trucking firm Kodiak AI teamed up with Bosch to scale production of autonomous hardware and sensors.

Nvidia also unveiled its next-generation autonomous driving platform, which will underpin a robotaxi alliance involving Lucid Group, Nuro and Uber. Separately, Mercedes-Benz said it will launch a new advanced driver-assistance system in the United States later this year, powered by Nvidia chips, allowing limited autonomous operation on city streets under driver supervision.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly seen as the key to overcoming some of the industry’s biggest hurdles. Generative AI tools are speeding up development and validation while reducing the resources required, according to Ozgur Tohumcu of AWS, who described AI as a “big accelerant” for autonomous driving.

Western automakers are also feeling pressure from China, where regulators last month approved two vehicles with Level 3 autonomous capabilities, allowing hands-off driving under certain conditions. Still, industry leaders caution against unrealistic expectations. Jochen Hanebeck, CEO of Infineon, warned against “market fantasy” that fully self-driving cars could soon become commonplace, noting that automakers currently prefer revenue-generating Level 2 driver-assistance systems.

Robotaxi trials are expanding in small pockets across China, the United States, Europe and the Middle East, but scaling them remains costly. According to Jeremy McClain, expanding coverage requires massive data, fleets and logistics investments.

The industry’s long history of hype still looms large. Tesla CEO Elon Musk famously predicted in 2019 that a million self-driving Teslas would be on the road within a year, yet only launched a limited robotaxi service last year. Early setbacks, including the shutdown of GM’s Cruise unit after a high-profile accident, forced many automakers to retreat.

Nvidia executives argue that AI breakthroughs are finally addressing long-standing weaknesses, particularly in handling rare “edge cases.” Ali Kani said foundational advances are making the technology feel closer to readiness. Analysts, however, say Tesla still holds a significant lead, even as Nvidia’s open-source platform gives rivals a shared alternative.

Physical AI Takes Centre Stage at CES, but Humanoid Helpers Remain Distant

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Just four years after the launch of ChatGPT brought artificial intelligence into the mainstream, CES in Las Vegas this week was dominated by talk of “physical AI” — robots, humanoids and autonomous systems that move AI beyond software and into the real world.

The annual technology show highlighted a clear shift by the global tech and auto industries from pure AI software toward hardware-driven applications. From robotics and autonomous driving to AI-powered home devices, exhibitors showcased visions of how AI could reshape daily life in the coming years.

Chip designer Arm Holdings said AI is fuelling a fresh wave of innovation and demand. Arm told Reuters it has reorganised its business to create a dedicated physical AI unit aimed at expanding into robotics. “AI is really driving a whole innovation and demand cycle,” said Chris Bergey, head of Arm’s PC and mobile unit.

Humanoid robots drew particular attention. Machines from companies including LG Electronics played poker, folded paper and danced with visitors. But their slow, carefully scripted movements underlined persistent hurdles such as limited processing power, battery constraints and difficulty handling real-world situations beyond pre-programmed tasks. Analysts said affordable, capable humanoid assistants remain years away.

AI HARDWARE MEETS SOFTWARE
Major tech players used CES to underline the convergence of AI hardware and software. Lenovo hosted a high-profile event featuring Jensen Huang and Lisa Su, unveiling its Qira AI assistant designed to work across PCs, phones and wearables, including services from companies such as Expedia.

Meta Platforms showcased upgrades to its Ray-Ban Display glasses and Neural Band, while Google introduced its Gemini AI model for TVs and smart home devices.

Alongside headline products, CES also featured more questionable AI applications. From AI-powered hair clippers and dry-cleaning gadgets to digital pets and talking avatars, analysts noted that many devices previously branded as “smart” now simply carried the AI label.

CHIPS UNDER THE HOOD
Behind the scenes, chipmakers stressed the need to move AI workloads from the cloud onto devices to control costs. Intel launched its Panther Lake laptop chip, built using its new 18A manufacturing process, while AMD unveiled new processors for AI PCs.

Still, questions remain over consumer demand. “The general consumer is still not aware of what an AI PC really means,” said Ben Bajarin of Creative Strategies, adding that it could take time before the benefits become clear.

While CES made clear that physical AI is the industry’s next big push, experts agreed that truly useful, affordable humanoid servants are still a long way off.

Motorola Hints at Upcoming Smartwatch Launch in India Following CES Reveal

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Motorola recently expanded its ecosystem lineup at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) during the Lenovo Tech World showcase, unveiling a range of new devices. Now, the company appears to be preparing to bring one of those products to the Indian market. A fresh teaser shared on social media suggests that Motorola is gearing up to launch a new smartwatch in the country.

Although Motorola has not officially confirmed the product name or launch date, the teaser strongly hints at the arrival of a new Moto Watch. The smartwatch in question closely resembles the Moto Watch that was introduced globally at CES on January 7, indicating that the India launch could follow soon after its international reveal.

The teaser image, posted on X, offers a glimpse of the smartwatch’s design. It shows a circular dial topped with curved glass, giving the watch a smooth, slightly domed profile. This design approach is reminiscent of Google’s Pixel Watch series, suggesting a focus on a clean and modern aesthetic.

Further details visible in the teaser include subtle markings around the edge of the display, which appear to resemble minute indicators or a chronograph-style ring. These elements hint at a blend of classic watch styling with modern smartwatch functionality. Motorola is expected to share more information about the device, including specifications and pricing, in the coming days.