Next-gen VWs to get Nvidia-powered AI at CES 2018

 Volkswagen's I.D. Buzz may seem like a typical concept car with no likelihood of production, but at CES 2018 the German automaker made it clear that this next generation electric microbus represents its future. An eventual production version of the car will play host to artificial intelligence technologies powered by chipmaker Nvidia that let it recognize its driver and passengers, and cater to their needs.

At Nvidia's CES press conference, Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess took the stage with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to talk about the partnership. Volkswagen will integrate Nvidia's just-announced Drive IX platform into the I.D. Buzz, which will let it recognize people as they approach the car, unlocking the door for the owner or other trusted people, and tailor the in-car experience through personalization.

Volkswagen experienced a costly road bump in the last few years when it was discovered the company had been cheating on emissions testing for its diesel vehicles. With the I.D. Buzz and other concepts under the I.D. moniker, the company seems to be looking for a reset, a new generation of electric vehicles for the next decade. Its current plans call for 20 fully electric cars from Volkswagen by 2022. The I.D. Buzz concept itself is a working prototype electric vehicle.