NXP Semiconductors has signed a strategic partnership with Foxconn Industrial Internet Ltd., a subsidy of Foxconn group, to transform cars into ultimate edge computing device, or computers on a wheel.

Under the terms of the agreement, NXP will work together with Foxconn to develop a full suite of digital cockpit solution that is to be built with NXP i.MX 8 QuadMaxm application processors.

The so-called computing platform on a wheel will include digital clusters and a head-up display (HUD) system, enabling leading global automotive OEMs and Tier Ones to deliver vivid in-vehicle experiences for their customers.

Mass production of the digital cockpit solution is expected to start sometime in 2023.

The partnership will further call for both of the two companies to cooperate to commercialize UWB-based secure car access and safe automated driving system using NXP’s leading radar solutions.

The two companies’ common focus on automotive market was a lure for the cooperation.    

For Foxconn Industrial Internet (Fii), connected car market is one of its target bets, as the company is striving to leading the transformation from traditional manufacturing to intelligent manufacturing.

Fii has been building a cross-industry industrial Internet application platform around cloud computing, mobile terminals, Internet of Things (IoT), big data, artificial intelligence, high-speed network and robot.

NXP is the world’s largest automotive chip maker that has a strong heritage in safety, security, quality with innovation across the vehicle domain. The i.MX 8 series of APs are part of the EdgeVerse edge computing platform that is a feature-and performance-scalable multicore platform.