Volvo Cars is poised to redefine the electric vehicle landscape with the launch of its new ES90, a fully electric model built on the company’s cutting-edge Superset technology stack. Set to be officially unveiled on 5 March 2025, the ES90 is being hailed as Volvo’s most powerful car to date, not in terms of horsepower, but rather its unprecedented computing capacity.
This isn't just another EV; the ES90 is a software-defined vehicle, designed to continuously evolve and improve over time. It represents a significant shift in automotive development, where software, rather than hardware, becomes the primary driver of innovation and value. Anders Bell, Volvo’s chief engineering and technology officer, describes the ES90 as “one of the most technically advanced cars on the market today,” emphasising its focus on safety and continuous improvement.
At the heart of the ES90's impressive capabilities lies a dual NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin processor system. This marks a substantial leap forward, replacing the previous generation's Xavier processors and providing an eightfold increase in AI compute performance. With approximately 508 trillion operations per second (TOPS), these processors manage a multitude of critical functions, from advanced AI-based active safety features and sensor processing to efficient battery management.
The sheer processing power of the Orin processors allows for more complex and sophisticated AI models. Volvo plans to gradually increase the size of its deep learning model and neural network from 40 million to 200 million parameters as more data is collected and the model further developed. This continuous learning process aims to enhance the customer experience and, crucially, elevate safety levels.
The ES90 is the second Volvo model, after the EX90, to be built on the SPA2 architecture and utilise the Superset tech stack. This unified set of hardware and software modules will underpin all future electric Volvo cars. The Superset approach enables more efficient development and faster deployment of improvements across the entire Volvo EV range via over-the-air (OTA) updates.
These OTA updates will encompass a wide range of enhancements, including new connectivity features, safety improvements, and performance boosts. For example, future updates could optimise battery range based on individual driving behaviour. The shared Superset architecture means that software upgrades developed for one model, like the EX90, can also benefit other models, including the ES90, and vice versa. This collaborative approach to software development ensures that all Volvo EV owners benefit from the latest innovations.
Volvo's commitment to safety is paramount, and the ES90 is no exception. The car is equipped with an array of advanced sensors, including lidar, radar, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors, as well as a sophisticated driver understanding system. This comprehensive sensor suite provides the ES90 with a detailed understanding of its surroundings, enabling it to detect potential hazards, even in low-light conditions, and activate proactive safety measures like collision avoidance.
This is what Volvo calls “Safe Space Technology.” It’s a philosophy that prioritises the safety of everyone both inside and outside the vehicle. The aim is to prevent accidents and create a safer and more enjoyable driving experience.
The implementation of the dual Orin processor system isn't limited to the ES90. Volvo has announced that existing EX90 owners will also receive a complimentary hardware upgrade to their vehicles, replacing the current combination of an Orin and a Xavier processor with the dual Orin setup. This demonstrates Volvo’s commitment to continuous improvement and its focus on providing existing customers with the latest technology.
The ES90 represents a bold step forward for Volvo, demonstrating its ambition to become a leader in the software-defined vehicle space. By combining powerful computing hardware with a flexible and scalable software architecture, Volvo aims to create cars that not only meet current needs but also continuously improve and adapt to future advancements. The official unveiling of the ES90 will be on 5 March 2025.
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