Taiwan's MediaTek Announces Partnership With Nvidia

Nvidia Corp. and MediaTek Inc. announced a technical partnership to power enhanced vehicle infotainment systems that can stream movies or games and interact with drivers via artificial intelligence.

Under the terms of the agreement, MediaTek will incorporate an Nvidia graphic processing unit chiplet and Nvidia software into the system-on-chips it offers to automakers for infotainment screens. The deal was announced at the Computex technology trade show in Taipei.

MediaTek systems that use Nvidia software, according to the companies, will be interoperable with Nvidia-based automated driving systems. Dashboard screens could show the driver's surroundings, while cameras would keep an eye on him.

In-vehicle displays and entertainment systems are becoming more sophisticated as automakers incorporate technologies such as gaming, artificial intelligence for voice-activated features, driver monitoring systems, and displays linked to automated driving.

Qualcomm, MediaTek's main smartphone rival, has been courting automakers as well. Earlier this year, Qualcomm and SalesForce announced a partnership to develop a new connected vehicle platform.

The agreement with MediaTek, according to the companies, gives Nvidia greater access to the $12 billion market for infotainment system-on-chips.

Nvidia has focused its efforts on luxury automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar Land Rover. MediaTek, which has its origins in the Android smartphone chip industry, sells its Dimensity Auto technology to mass market, lower cost car lines and excels at Android and mobile connectivity.

"There are a lot of segments they are addressing that Nvidia has not addressed," said Danny Shapiro, vice president of automotive at Nvidia.

The corporations did not identify future automotive clients.