Lucid, the Saudi-backed electric vehicle startup, has announced a new collaboration with Nvidia to create an autonomous vehicle for consumers. The partnership aims to utilize Nvidia's hardware and software to develop a cutting-edge AI-powered system that can enable vehicles to drive themselves without human intervention.
The new system is designed to be more advanced than the partially automated driving assist currently available on Lucid's Gravity SUV, which has been "turbocharged" by Nvidia Drive AV. The planned "level 4" autonomous system will be capable of navigating from point to point within a geofenced operational design domain, and is similar to systems being developed by companies like Waymo and Zoox.
The partnership between Lucid and Nvidia could bring significant benefits for both parties. For consumers, the advanced system could provide a seamless driving experience with minimal human intervention, making it an attractive option for busy professionals or those who are new to driving. On the other hand, Lucid stands to gain from the potential revenue streams generated by the sale of its autonomous vehicles, while Nvidia can leverage its industrial platform to enable Lucid's production lines to be designed digitally before being built.
However, there is a catch: Lucid will need to start selling tens of thousands of EVs per year in order to become profitable. This means that smaller, cheaper models will need to be part of the company's strategy, with a starting price of less than $50,000 for its midsize crossover vehicle, set to launch in 2027.
The success of this partnership hinges on several factors, including the ability to market and sell autonomous vehicles to consumers, as well as the scalability of Nvidia's industrial platform. If Lucid can successfully execute its strategy, it could become a leader in the autonomous vehicle space, providing a valuable service to consumers while generating significant revenue for the company.
But will it be enough? Only time will tell if Lucid's partnership with Nvidia is enough to propel the company into profitability and establish itself as a major player in the electric vehicle market.
The new system is designed to be more advanced than the partially automated driving assist currently available on Lucid's Gravity SUV, which has been "turbocharged" by Nvidia Drive AV. The planned "level 4" autonomous system will be capable of navigating from point to point within a geofenced operational design domain, and is similar to systems being developed by companies like Waymo and Zoox.
The partnership between Lucid and Nvidia could bring significant benefits for both parties. For consumers, the advanced system could provide a seamless driving experience with minimal human intervention, making it an attractive option for busy professionals or those who are new to driving. On the other hand, Lucid stands to gain from the potential revenue streams generated by the sale of its autonomous vehicles, while Nvidia can leverage its industrial platform to enable Lucid's production lines to be designed digitally before being built.
However, there is a catch: Lucid will need to start selling tens of thousands of EVs per year in order to become profitable. This means that smaller, cheaper models will need to be part of the company's strategy, with a starting price of less than $50,000 for its midsize crossover vehicle, set to launch in 2027.
The success of this partnership hinges on several factors, including the ability to market and sell autonomous vehicles to consumers, as well as the scalability of Nvidia's industrial platform. If Lucid can successfully execute its strategy, it could become a leader in the autonomous vehicle space, providing a valuable service to consumers while generating significant revenue for the company.
But will it be enough? Only time will tell if Lucid's partnership with Nvidia is enough to propel the company into profitability and establish itself as a major player in the electric vehicle market.