Artificial Intelligence, often simply referred to as AI, is the latest and greatest computing technology. As the name indicates, AI aims to bring intelligence to computers, essentially making them more powerful and reactive to the environment around them. AI is already reshaping many industries, including the automotive industry.
McCullouch and Pitts did the first recorded works on AI in 1943. They identified the idea of artificial neurons as the thoughts of machines that could think for themselves, comparing that to an organic brain and its neurons. It was then recognized as an academic discipline in 1956. Since then, many have studied and specialized in artificial intelligence to bring us to the world as it is today. A world where robot waiters, AI gaming, and AI in the automotive industry all exist.
Cars are a part of many people’s everyday lives, so how has this ground-breaking technology transformed the automotive industry? Read on to find out.
Accident Detection Systems
Accident Detection Systems are helping to make the roads safer by adding another layer of protection to both motorists and other road users. Accident Detection Systems have been designed to identify areas where issues might occur and detect problems before they occur. They include:
· Obstacle Detection – This system warns drivers of obstacles in their path. This includes reverse sensors, blind-spot sensors, and adaptive cruise control.
· Obstacle Avoidance – This AI-based technology helps the driver to avoid an accident through swerving, braking or similar to circumvent a collision.
· Emergency Braking – This system applies emergency brakes when the driver gets too close to an object.
· Stability Control – This system helps the driver recover the car when they lose control, possibly through loss of traction due to ice, oil, or water.
All these systems undergo rigorous testing before they are permitted to be used on-road vehicles. Tests have shown that these systems do indeed work and will help to make the roads safer. Mercedes, VW, BMW, Audi, Cadillac, Ford, and many other manufacturers have started adding these features to their cars.
Driver Assistance
Driving can be tiring. Having some assistance in the cockpit can be comforting, and can help drivers in many of their duties. The earliest appearance of AI was in the form of navigation systems that could help drivers navigate, reroute, and even avoid speed traps. While AI has now moved past this level, it was still the start of AI use in driving assistance.
Today cars use much more sophisticated features such as adaptive cruise control that uses AI to predict and adjust its speed compared to the car in front. Other AI features include voice control, where AI learns and analyses users’ responses to save preferences and answer questions more quickly.
Autopilot
Self-driving cars are the future, right? Well, this feat is only possible thanks to the power and capabilities of AI. Tesla is well known for its new autopilot features that allow the driver to relax. Legally the driver still has to be strapped into the driver’s seat. Nevertheless, this shows how much is possible, thanks to the new technology.
Following the popularity of Tesla’s self-driving modes, many manufacturers have been looking into and testing their own systems. Even an ongoing test for self-driving buses eliminates the need for bus drivers.
While self-driving cars are still a long way from being completely legal (without a driver behind the wheel), it is still amazing to see what they can do.
Manufacturing
Many do not see one of the greatest feats of AI in the automotive industry as it is in the factory. AI is used in manufacturing to take data from multiple sensors and streams to run through algorithms to find errors and mistakes and optimize the process. While this has been shown to save major costs in manufacturing, only 9% of the worldwide manufacturing sector is leveraging the power of AI technology.
AI technology has also helped to revolutionize factories’ storage and retrieval systems, making the process faster and utilizing less space. While adoption is low now, many predict that more ‘smart factories’ will show up in the future as the benefits become more apparent.
The Future of AI in the Automotive Industry
While the future may be unknown, there are a few notable improvements that car manufacturers are working on. Most of these revolve around making driving easier, safer, and more affordable and include systems that find the cheapest fuel in the immediate area and more important safety features to reduce the number of deaths on the roads. Another project is working on reducing car emissions in engines controlled by AI.
There are also a number of AI partnerships happening between Tech firms and Automotive Companies, working together to develop new AI systems to work with their cars. Companies like Instacart and Shopify have partnered with Automotive firms to make curbside pickup possible! All are powered by AI technology.
Whether you drive a Tesla or a Buick, the future of the automotive industry is changing. From eco-friendliness to technology focus, the new cars coming out today are safer and smarter than before. This is all thanks to the power of artificial intelligence.