Nvidia powers infotainment in cars few can afford

GRAPHICS PROCESSORS from Nvidia will drive BMW and Tesla cars' infotainment systems but we didn't bother asking about availability dates because we can't afford either.

For the all-electric Tesla Motors Model S Sedan, which is yet to go on sale, the Green Goblin's technology will power infotainment, instrument-cluster systems and navigation. Infotainment and navigation we know, but what that middle one is we have no idea.

Nvidia SVP Dan Vivoli is ready to spread the joy. "The Model S is a modern marvel, a blend of beauty, performance and efficiency. Tegra's combination of graphics power and energy efficiency make it a perfect match for the Model S," he said, but then he can probably afford one.

The Tesla Model S Sedan infotainment and navigation system has a 17-inch high resolution touch sensitive display that integrates in-car climate control and navigation with live traffic, points of interest and weather. The all-digital instrument cluster thingy has a 12.3-inch LCD and has advanced 3D graphics providing data about the vehicle. Shame it can't also change a tyre, too.

Vivoli also speaks in glowing terms about his other customer, BMW. Whole new levels of the driving experience and whatnot. There is no mention of the Tegra for BMW, just GPUs, but Nvidia's technology will be used by the German car maker's Idrive system.

Idrive provides navigation and other information and will show terrain models rendered with the help of Nvidia technology. That Nvidia aided Idrive system will be featured in BMW's 7, 5, 3, Mini Cooper and sporty X series vehicles. Again there is no indication of when this Idrive system and the cars will go on sale but The INQURER suspects that tomorrow morning's Nvidia press conference might help. µ