Intel Unveils First Automotive Graphics Chip

Intel has recently introduced its first discrete graphics processing unit (dGPU) chip designed specifically for displays and artificial intelligence (AI) in automotive applications. The new Intel Arc Graphics for Automotive is targeted at AI cockpit designs and is expected to be integrated into vehicles in China by 2025.

The discrete A760A GPU is a significant step towards software-defined vehicles (SDV), enabling car manufacturers to create a unified vehicle platform that can be customized across different trim levels. Lower-tier models can utilize the Intel SDV System on Chip (SoC), while higher-end vehicles can leverage the additional power of the dGPU to incorporate premium features. This approach simplifies development by ensuring software compatibility between the integrated GPU and the discrete GPU.

Jack Weast, the vice president and general manager of Intel Automotive, emphasized the company's commitment to integrating AI capabilities into a wide range of devices. He highlighted the importance of leveraging Intel's expertise and open AI ecosystem in the automotive sector, particularly in China where rapid advancements in electric vehicles and technology adoption provide an ideal environment for testing next-generation technologies.

The Arc A760A dGPU boasts 28 Xe cores, 28 ray tracing units for displays, and 448 matrix engines for AI processing, along with 448 vector engines capable of delivering 14 FP32 TOPS. Additionally, the chip features AVC and HEVC compression and decompression engines, as well as an ACRN hypervisor for running various software applications, including Android. It offers support for Vulkan, OpenGL, Intel's OpenVINO, and OneAPI.

A demonstration conducted by Thundersoft showcased the capabilities of the Arc dGPU, featuring a next-generation cockpit user interface (UI) that supports seven high-definition screens for rendering 3D graphics, along with six in-vehicle cameras and interactive functionalities. The UI is capable of running gaming titles concurrently with AI-powered PC applications, catering to smart mobile working scenarios. Intel's AI PC Accelerator Programme, with over 100 independent software vendors (ISV) partners, has developed more than 500 features and AI applications.

Moreover, the A760A Arc dGPU can be utilized for AI algorithms that learn driver preferences, enabling automatic adjustments to cockpit settings without the need for voice commands. Zhipu's AI Car Assistant demonstrated the effectiveness of local large language models (LLMs) running on Intel's compute platform. The demo showcased the ability to execute complex vehicle control commands through natural language processing, provide accurate responses to vehicle-related queries, and engage in interactive conversations with users, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The Intel Arc A760A dGPU is scheduled to be available in the market in the first quarter of 2025, offering advanced graphics and AI capabilities for automotive applications.