AI in Automobile Industry - Path to Future

Written by Farhan Tanvir Niloy

The automotive industry is one of the most innovative and rapidly advancing industries in the world. Automakers are constantly introducing new technologies to improve the safety, performance and efficiency of their vehicles. Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in the automotive industry. AI is helping to make cars smarter, safer, and more efficient.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence is mainly the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. Specific applications of AI contain expert systems, natural language processing, machine vision and speech recognition.

How is AI used in the automotive industry?

In recent years, AI has made a great impact on the automobile industry. AI is being used to improve the overall efficiency of production, reduce costs, and enhance the customer experience. AI is also being used to provide predictive analytics and to automate processes. AI can be used to improve the safety and convenience of driving. According to Wendy Gonzalez, the CEO of Sama, the provider of accurate data for ambitious AI, “Autonomous cars are as intrinsic to visions of the future as holograms and space travel.” (Forbes, 2022)

AI in the design & manufacturing of vehicles

Robots with artificial intelligence are increasingly being used on production lines. In the car manufacturing process, industrial robots are working more efficiently than the human workforce. The robots are also capable to complete tasks like them. Collaborative robots that use AI capabilities can sense the human workforce and perform their tasks efficiently and accurately.

The sections AI is being used as a game changer are-

• Designing a vehicle from outer body to minimal parts
•  Building prototypes of models & testing before launch (ex: drive test, crash test, etc.)
• Manufacturing & assembling parts in the factory with automation

AI in sales, marketing & customer experience

Artificial intelligence can be used in sales & marketing to create advertisements, attracting & interacting with customers very conveniently. A chatbot (software with the ability to imitate human conversation via chats in order to assist customers) can serve 24/7 online engaging visitors, generating leads more effectively, answering most of the frequently asked questions, and much more.

Besides, simulation is such a wonderful invention that can make the customer experience a tour of their desired vehicle online anytime anywhere so that they can fascinate themselves & make a quick decision about it without visiting the showrooms physically.

AI in driving & in-car assist

It is perhaps one of the best uses of artificial intelligence in the automotive industry. AI can assist drivers in protecting against any critical situation and accidents.

Some popular features of new-generation cars using AI are-

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Anti-collision System
• 
  Speed Assist & Warning System
• Automatic Emergency Braking System
• Traffic Alert
•  Lane Departure Assist
• Blindspot Monitoring System
• Intelligent Headlamp Control
• Digital Lock & Security System
• Auto-Parking System

AI in Autonomous Vehicles

It was previously just a dream to see a driverless car on the road. But thankfully, now it is happening in real-time only because of artificial intelligence. It was Elon Musk who launched the world’s first autonomous car brand TESLA and now most of the reputed automobile brands, especially in the USA, Europe & Japan, have different models of autonomous vehicles already launched and ready to launch.

Autopilot

Recently produced self-driving electric vehicles equipped with autopilots to enable automatic steering, accelerating, braking, lane change, and parking activities. Many of the world's largest cities now have autonomous vehicles on the road. Even heavy-duty vehicles without drivers that are capable of transporting cargo over great distances have been created. This has considerably decreased transportation costs while also lowering the number of fatal accidents, many of which are caused by human mistakes.

Drawbacks of vehicles with AI

Despite being among the most anticipated technological developments of this century, AI and autonomous driving have been linked to a variety of issues:

• Autonomous vehicles can only operate under specific conditions and weather. Sensors mostly struggle to detect exceptional situations but human eyes don’t.
• Robotic AI-driven autonomous vehicles are incapable of engaging in complicated social interactions with other drivers, bikers, or pedestrians. To manage these situations, one needs broad intelligence and common sense, which robots at this time do not have.
• Sometimes AI fails to work properly and causes a massive mess or accident which indicates that it can take more time to normalize autopilot as there are a lot more to invent in order to make it work properly. Even, according to a CNN Business report, Tesla Autopilot’s safety is already being questioned after several fatal crashes.
• As it is a software-based function, it can be hacked at a point & used as a weapon to destruction as well.