Distancing from Geely, Volvo to drop CMA platform for multi-core computing-capable SPA2/GPA
Hans · Dec 18, 2023 11:33 AM
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Volvo’s 40-series compact cars, including the Volvo XC40 and C40, are built on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform. This platform was co-developed with Geely, specifically through its Sweden-based subsidiary, China Euro Vehicle Technology AB (CEVT).
Volvo Cars’ CEO Jim Rowan has now confirmed that it will be dropping the CMA platform in favour of an all-new Nvidia core computing-compatible Volvo exclusive platform. The name of the new platform has yet to be decided but it will be an evolution of the second-generation Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA 2) used in the company’s latest battery EV-only 2024 Volvo EX90.
Elaborating on the planned evolution of SPA 2 in an interview with Automotive News Europe, CEO Rowan said, “We are seeing SPA2 as our first move toward a core compute architecture. SPA 2 will evolve into GPA [Global Product Architecture]. So, the way I look at it is that GPA is basically like a SPA 3. It takes us closer to that pure core compute architecture. But it's a build-on of SPA 2. Then we are going to be talking about, the next generation of that - SPA4, SPA5 - as further build-ons. A lot of the components, a lot of the intelligence and a lot of engineering work that we do for SPA 2 can be dropped into SPA 3, or GPA, or whatever you want to call it.
The ’core compute’ architecture referred to here is a central part of Volvo’s effort to transition its product line-up from one that is defined by mechanical attributes like its engine and suspension, to one that is defined by its software features. Think of it as a smartphone on wheels.
The twin Nvidia computing cores powering the EX90
To achieve this, Volvo is developing its own Volvo Car Operating System (VolvoCars.OS) for its next generation of vehicles, powered by two Nvidia core computers, running on Nvidia’s Drive AGX Xavier technology. If more computing power is necessary, the total number of computing cores can be scaled up.
Current Volvo cars operate on a distributed computing principle, where individual control units - all purchased separately from suppliers before they are integrated by Volvo - spread around the car controls various features. The SPA 2 platform used in the latest Volvo EX90 replaces this setup with two core computers, where software controlling the all of the car's features are developed in-house by Volvo.
Current SPA / CMA distributed computing architecture
New centralised core computing architecture in SPA 2
Volvo says this approach will open new possibilities in AI-driven “360-degree perception capabilities and a driver monitoring system,” which essentially means cars that can genuinely drive itself. Currently, no production car is capable of genuine self-driving.
Even Tesla’s Full Self-Driving, despite its name, is legally defined as only a Level 2 autonomous self-driving feature because Tesla won’t take responsibility for accidents. Mercedes-Benz and Honda have previously Level 3-capable self-driving cars, but these functions work only in very specific stretches of roads, under very specific driving conditions.
Self-driving cars are categorized on a 6-point scale defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), starting with Level 0 for cars that can provide momentary warnings for blind spot, to Level 2 (the most common today) for vehicles that can provide braking, acceleration and steering intervention. True self-driving cars are at Level 5 – driver intervention is not necessary in any driving conditions.
When asked about the future of CMA, Rowan, who previously served as CEO for Dyson before moving to Volvo, said “CMA is not a core computer architecture. So, we won't be using CMA for our future models.”
The CMA platform is also used by the Geely Boyue L - the second-generation model of the Geely Boyue that Malaysians understand as the Proton X70 – as well as all Lynk & Co models.
Current CMA platform
Rowan also said, “I can't say what the other members of the group will do, but our plan is to move toward that evolutionary architecture that we just spoke about. That way we can use a lot of the development that went into the predecessor platform, but on top of that we will increase the speed and increase the performance, resulting in cars that are differentiated without having to start from scratch.”
Having said that, not all new generation Volvo cars will ride on SPA 2 / GPA. The Volvo EM90 minivan rides on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform shared with the Zeekr 009.
Geely had recently reduced its ownership of Volvo Car, from 82 percent to 78 percent.
The CMA platform-based Volvo XC40 and C40 is available in Malaysia, priced as below:
All models above are locally-assembled (CKD) in Shah Alam. However, there are a small number of imported (from China) units of XC40 Recharge, priced at RM 283,888. The only difference in features is the imported units come with sunroof.
Over 15 years of experience in automotive, from product planning, to market research, to print and digital media. Garages a 6-cylinder manual RWD but buses to work.
