Volvo Cars said Thursday it will use Nvidia's self-driving hardware and software to build a hands-free, partially automated driving system that can handle both city streets and highways, The Verge and TechCrunch reported.

The Verge said the new system will be similar to Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised). Volvo calls it Level 2++, meaning it can handle traffic lights, stop signs and unprotected left turns, the outlet reported.

Volvo will use Nvidia's Hyperion sensor and computer platform and its Alpamayo driving software, both outlets reported. TechCrunch said the deal also includes Nvidia's Halos safety layer. The setup will not include lidar, The Verge reported, though Volvo could add it later.

Ali Kani, who heads Nvidia's automotive business, told TechCrunch that the system runs two software stacks at once. "The point is we run these two stacks at the same time, and we have multimodal sensors in our philosophy because it's a safer product that way," he said.

Alwin Bakkenes, a Volvo software chief, told both outlets that the first car with the system will launch before the end of the decade. Volvo did not say which model will come first, the outlets reported, and TechCrunch said Volvo did not reveal the value of the partnership.

"Our brand Volvo is synonymous with safety, and safety is synonymous with trust," Bakkenes told The Verge.

Volvo plans to offer the system across its lineup, The Verge reported, and TechCrunch said that includes gas and plug-in hybrid cars, not just electric ones. All of Volvo's electric cars already use Nvidia's Orin chip, TechCrunch said.

The Verge said the deal is partly an effort to recover from setbacks. Volvo shelved its Ride Pilot system in the U.S. after failing to get regulatory approval, and a lidar plan fell through after its supplier Luminar went bankrupt, the outlet reported.

What we know: Volvo will use Nvidia's Hyperion and Alpamayo technology for a supervised, hands-free system.
What we don't: Which Volvo model gets it first and exactly when.