Isuzu on road to self-driving technology

Isuzu Motors (Japan) is partnering up with US-based technology firm Nvidia to develop self-driving trucks.

Isuzu, which makes more than 600,000 commercial vehicles annually – ranging from light to heavy-duty trucks – is pursuing autonomous driving by using the Nvidia Drive AV software and the Drive AGX platform.

Isuzu engineering division chief executive Satoshi Okuyama says the company has a bold vision “to achieve society’s goal of zero accidents”.

“The scalable DRIVE AGX computing platform will enable us to start with 360-degree surround perception, lane keeping and adaptive cruise control features, then move to platooning and, ultimately, highly automated and fully autonomous vehicles.”

Nvidia founder and chief executive Jensen Huang says the company is working with Isuzu “to build self- driving trucks for the long haul”.

Huang says the technology is also a solution to driver shortage.

“There’s not enough truck drivers … a crisis not just here in Japan but a crisis everywhere in the world.”

Nvidia says there are now over 450 automakers, suppliers, truck makers, sensor manufacturers, software startups and mapping companies developing autonomous driving technology on its platform with more than 55 from Japan.