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Bolt picks Nvidia self-driving software, plans Madrid robotaxi program in 2027
Ride-hailing company Bolt said Wednesday it will use Nvidia's Alpamayo driving software in Lucid vehicles and start an autonomous program in Madrid in 2027, pending regulatory approval [1][2].
- Bolt (press release), NVIDIA Newsroom and Cinco Días are now reporting this
- New headline Was: “Bolt, Nvidia to kickstart driverless taxi programme in Madrid during 2027”
- Our desk filed its story
- Still developing
Primary sources: Bolt press release, Nvidia announcement
Ride-hailing company Bolt said Wednesday, Oct. 21, that it has chosen Nvidia's Alpamayo self-driving software for its European robotaxi program, starting with vehicles from Lucid1,2.
The first phase begins in Madrid in 2027, when Lucid vehicles will collect real-world driving data to develop and validate the system, subject to regulatory approval, Bolt said1,3. Germany and France are its next priority markets1,3.
Bolt said the program lays the groundwork for at least 25,000 Level 4-ready Lucid vehicles running on Nvidia's Hyperion computing platform, part of a goal of 100,000 autonomous vehicles in Europe and the wider UNECE region by 20351. Nvidia announced the deal at its GTC Berlin event alongside similar work with Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Einride and Volvo Cars2.
Jevgeni Kabanov, Bolt's head of autonomous driving, said the Madrid region is building a structured framework for commercial autonomous mobility with national authorities1. In an interview with Reuters, he said Bolt expects a few dozen vehicles in Madrid at first and that the driving software runs inside the car without an internet connection, Reuters reported4.
Bolt enters a crowded field in Spain. Cinco Días reported that Google announced Waymo robotaxis for Madrid a day earlier, and that Uber got a Spanish permit for autonomous cars in September3.
Sources
- Bolt (press release)Bolt picks NVIDIA Alpamayo Stack to drive its autonomous vehicles across Europe
- NVIDIA NewsroomEuropean Mobility Leaders Build Safe Vehicles and Robotaxi Fleets on NVIDIA Hyperion
- Cinco DíasBolt iniciará en Madrid en 2027 su plan europeo del vehículo autónomo con el respaldo de Nvidia
- ReutersBolt, Nvidia to kickstart driverless taxi programme in Madrid during 2027
How it’s being reported
4 versions from 2 sourcesBolt picks NVIDIA Alpamayo Stack to drive its autonomous vehicles across Europe
Leads with the choice of Nvidia's software and the long-term European rollout.
Bolt's announcement of the Nvidia software deal, the Madrid start and its 2035 fleet target.
Leaves out Does not say how many vehicles will run in Madrid at first.
European Mobility Leaders Build Safe Vehicles and Robotaxi Fleets on NVIDIA Hyperion
Puts Bolt alongside Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Einride and Volvo as Hyperion users.
Nvidia's GTC Berlin announcement listing Bolt among several European carmakers and fleets using its Hyperion platform.
Bolt iniciará en Madrid en 2027 su plan europeo del vehículo autónomo con el respaldo de Nvidia
Leads with Madrid and the competition from Waymo and Uber in Spain.
Spanish business paper's report, placing Bolt's plan beside Waymo's and Uber's moves in Spain.
Bolt, Nvidia to kickstart driverless taxi programme in Madrid during 2027
Leads with a figure in the headline.