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How Much Nvidia Is Inside Audi's A8L?

2013 Audi A8L: Nvidia Graphics, Wi-Fi, LED Lights, And Google Earth
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Audi is one of the first automotive companies to hook up with Nvidia for help with its infotainment systems. Despite the public cooperation and announcements on both sides of the aisle, neither would confirm the exact application processor powering MMI touch. When we asked Audi, we were told it doesn't disclose that information. Nvidia echoed the same sentiment. Heck, we even tried to ping Harman, which we assumed built Audi's MMI system.

Everyone stayed quiet about the composition of the MMI. Fortunately, after a lot of persistence, we were told that the A8L's infotainment system doesn't employ Tegra at all. Despite the A7 demo platforms we saw back at CES 2012 and 2013, Tegra didn't actually make it into any Audi until this year's A3/S3.

Audi's A8L MMI unitAudi's A8L MMI unit

The reason both companies kept quiet was because the graphics solution in Audi's A8L predates Tegra. It's a GeForce-derived GPU, but Nvidia wouldn't give us the details. And unfortunately, because it's a specialized multimedia processor, there was no other company to turn to for details. The only other bit of information we uncovered was that Nvidia's hardware is paired to a Texas Instrument OMAP-based SoC, the Jacinto 5.

TI's Jacinto 5 includes a single ARM Cortex-A8 core and a DSP to drive the MMI, including its radio functionality, Wi-Fi connectivity, 3G, and everything else related to the infotainment system. Nvidia's contribution kicks in for rendering 3D maps with Google Earth overlays. TI isn't specific about the exact SoC model Audi uses, and the company manufactures a great many configurations. So, we'll just have to be content identifying the A8L's internals from a high level and giving Nvidia credit for powering the complementary multimedia applications unit (MMX).
All of that hardware is controlled by QNX's real-time operating system. 

Audi deploys a second MMI unit in its A8L, dedicated to the rear-seat entertainment system, which we'll detail shortly. Hopefully you're already getting the sense that this car is incredibly technology-laden, partly explaining its six-figure price tag. 

Even though the Jacinto 5's single Cortex-A8 sounds like it might be a little anemic, we have no complaints about the infotainment system's performance. Controls respond quickly, free of lag. Handwriting recognition would seem to be the most delay-sensitive workload, and it's even snappy enough to impress.

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  • 3 Hide
    cypeq , January 24, 2014 12:34 AM
    Tom's add regular Refirgerator reviews they also get touchscreens built in.
  • 3 Hide
    vertexx , January 24, 2014 1:12 AM
    Aren't 2014 models out by now?
  • 3 Hide
    Zeh , January 24, 2014 2:08 AM
    One can always dream...
  • 1 Hide
    cozmium , January 24, 2014 3:02 AM
    Another prime example of how B&O are only made for big wallets and not discerning audio enthusiasts. Bowers and Wilkins, such as in the Jaguar XF, sound utterly fantastic. In a car you have a minefield of acoustic problems to overcome, and it takes more than slapping in fancy looking speakers.
  • 1 Hide
    Flicules , January 24, 2014 3:39 AM
    I would like to see an article about the new Infotainment system on the Mazda 3(MY14)
  • -3 Hide
    Nintendo Maniac 64 , January 24, 2014 3:39 AM
    *reads title*...so basically all the things Tesla already had in 2012?

    (wifi hardware was present but the software wasn't enabled since the first year of 3G was free)
  • 1 Hide
    vertexx , January 24, 2014 6:08 AM
    The 2014 A8 L features a Bose sound system, or perhaps that's the standard option.
  • -3 Hide
    Metalrenok , January 24, 2014 6:26 AM
    Car reviews? Seriously Tom's?
  • -7 Hide
    Metalrenok , January 24, 2014 6:44 AM
    Car reviews? Seriously Tom's?
  • 2 Hide
    bhaberle , January 24, 2014 7:07 AM
    So umm. It is important to know that even lower end Audi's like the S4 (standard) and the A4 (optional) have these features, such as wi-fi, etc. And yes the wifi hotspot was available in last year's versions of these cars (which actually is the 2013 ones.) The a4/s4 versions are not touch though, which is not really an issue.
  • 1 Hide
    user 18 , January 24, 2014 7:43 AM
    Kind of sad that such a nice car seems to only come with an auto transmission.
  • 1 Hide
    holmes4 , January 24, 2014 8:01 AM
    Regarding USB and audio inputs - Audi typically puts a connector for these in the glove compartment. You may need to buy a custom adapter cable depending on your device. At least on my 2013 A4, it can control an iPhone through the MMI this way, though I just use the Bluetooth integration.
  • 1 Hide
    tuanies , January 24, 2014 8:20 AM
    Quote:
    Another prime example of how B&O are only made for big wallets and not discerning audio enthusiasts. Bowers and Wilkins, such as in the Jaguar XF, sound utterly fantastic. In a car you have a minefield of acoustic problems to overcome, and it takes more than slapping in fancy looking speakers.


    I've never heard the B&W in the XF. The Meridian system in the XJL is quite good though. The Acura Krell system in the RLX is the best system I've heard so far.

    Quote:
    I would like to see an article about the new Infotainment system on the Mazda 3(MY14)


    It's on the list of vehicles to cover. It's a very good vehicle and the new system is a massive improvement over the terrible TomTom system in the 6 and CX5.

    Quote:
    *reads title*...so basically all the things Tesla already had in 2012?

    (wifi hardware was present but the software wasn't enabled since the first year of 3G was free)


    Audi had it in the A8 since 2011

    Quote:
    The 2014 A8 L features a Bose sound system, or perhaps that's the standard option.


    Bose is standard on Audi's. B&O is a $6300 option.

    Quote:
    Car reviews? Seriously Tom's?


    Yes
  • 2 Hide
    tuanies , January 24, 2014 8:23 AM
    Quote:
    So umm. It is important to know that even lower end Audi's like the S4 (standard) and the A4 (optional) have these features, such as wi-fi, etc. And yes the wifi hotspot was available in last year's versions of these cars (which actually is the 2013 ones.) The a4/s4 versions are not touch though, which is not really an issue.


    Yes the A4 has MMI as well, but the touch pad is quite excellent. Also the interior ergonomics and overall package are different. The next gen A4 will have touch. Audi has a combo touch / control knob that debuted in the A3. I imagine it will make its way to the next A4.

    Quote:
    Kind of sad that such a nice car seems to only come with an auto transmission.


    Unfortunately driving with a third pedal will be a forgotten art. However, the 8-speed ZF is a very good transmission. I love manuals and everything, but will gladly trade a third pedal for adaptive cruise control with stop and go and the 8-speed ZF for daily driving.

    Quote:
    Regarding USB and audio inputs - Audi typically puts a connector for these in the glove compartment. You may need to buy a custom adapter cable depending on your device. At least on my 2013 A4, it can control an iPhone through the MMI this way, though I just use the Bluetooth integration.


    You are correct. Ours only had the iPod connector, a 30-pin one at that. It's highway robbery that Audi sells the cables for about $70 to use a feature that should be standard by now.
  • 0 Hide
    xenol , January 24, 2014 9:40 AM
    I'm probably going to get downvoted for this but...I find it annoying people were all "make Google Glass illegal to wear while driving" because of the potential to distract the driver. And yet I see the smarts of this car having the same potential.
  • 1 Hide
    tuanies , January 24, 2014 9:48 AM
    Quote:
    I'm probably going to get downvoted for this but...I find it annoying people were all "make Google Glass illegal to wear while driving" because of the potential to distract the driver. And yet I see the smarts of this car having the same potential.


    People will always find ways to distract themselves if they aren't focused drivers. You can have all the electronic nannies and lock outs you want, but that doesn't stop a parent turning around to yell at their kids before plowing into the car in front of them IMO.
  • 0 Hide
    CaedenV , January 24, 2014 10:04 AM
    that is a lot of buttons... way too many buttons...Don't get me wrong, I love me some buttons to press, but if complicated games that have 100 different things going on can get by with using just a few of the 16 buttons and 2 sticks available on your average controller, then surely a car's navigation and infotainment system can make due with far less for a much simpler experience.Wake me up when cars get a proper HUD to control the car with rather than overly complicated center consoles that are needlessly complicated and difficult to operate while driving.
  • 1 Hide
    Anonymous , January 24, 2014 10:27 AM
    I've never had 100 grand to drop on a vehicle, but I'd be satisfied with a car that doesn't require thousands of dollars in repairs after a few hundred thousand kilometers
  • 1 Hide
    3ogdy , January 24, 2014 2:37 PM
    Quote:
    Car reviews? Seriously Tom's?
    Upper part of the page, right under the Tom's Hardware logo:"The authority on TECH". So, what were you saying your problem was?
  • -1 Hide
    cypeq , January 24, 2014 3:18 PM
    Quote:
    Quote:
    Car reviews? Seriously Tom's?
    Upper part of the page, right under the Tom's Hardware logo:"The authority on TECH". So, what were you saying your problem was?
    Nothing it's obvious sponsored advertisement article move a long nothing new.
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