Why the automotive industry is the perfect use case for AI

When it comes to everyday life, artificial intelligence is already changing the world around us; if the most ambitious predictions are correct, it promises to transform our lives even further. For all the excitement about what it can do, some approach AI with caution, especially when it comes to its integration into the automotive industry. In fact, a recent study showed that 25% of UK drivers are concerned about the implementation of AI in cars.

However, the opportunities AI presents for the automotive industry are limitless. It has the capability of not only making driving safer but also completely transforming the driving experience altogether. Whether it’s advancements in AI-powered voice control or predictive maintenance, the future points to a driving experience that is seamless, personalised and always connected. 

The way we interact with cars is set to change. The future in-cabin experience will involve a car getting to know its drivers, both their habits and preferences, via a hybrid approach of edge and cloud-based AI. This ensures that the drivers will experience the optimum experience without compromising their personal privacy.

Safety comes first 

There’s no doubt; safety has to be the priority. After all, it is an essential element of fostering consumer trust and acceptance of AI in vehicles. In fact, AI  is set to revolutionise how we view safety in the automotive industry, both from a person-centric and car-centric perspective.

But what does this actually mean? Safety features that focus on person-centric elements involve monitoring the behaviours, responses and habits of the individual inside the car. A fantastic example of this is drowsiness detection — AI sensors and cameras inside the vehicle can detect if the driver is falling asleep by detecting differences in facial expression, head position, or tracking eye movement. If the AI detects that the driver is becoming drowsy, the car will alert them. It will even adjust the temperature of the car, the volume of the radio or recommend that the driver should pull over. There has already been a mandate by the European Union that all cars made after 2024 are installed with driver drowsiness and attention warning (DDAW) systems, so we can expect to see a rising demand in this technology — AI will be crucial in supporting it.

This can be taken a step further; vehicles can use AI to recognise emotion or cognitive patterns. This means that, if someone shows a sign of being stressed, the vehicle could play relaxing music. It will also be able to detect if someone has sustained an injury or is having a medical episode and alert the authorities.

However, this is just one element of safety. AI will also boost safety systems specifically for the vehicle. This encompasses a range of different elements, from predicting maintenance issues before they arise to automatically adjusting your mirrors if someone is shining their full beam into your eyes. Adopting AI into the automotive industry will make driving a safer experience overall, but it also has the potential to completely transform the driving experience as a whole.

A personal assistant on wheels

Voice activation should no longer be viewed as just a safety feature but as a personal assistant, providing drivers access to an AI-powered chatbot. 

This could be something as simple as asking an intelligent assistant to move your seat, turn on your wipers, adjust audio or change the navigation settings based on your commands. However, advanced features will allow the AI inside of the vehicle to be more like a concierge. It will be able to provide the user with information about areas you drive through, or if you drive past a nice restaurant, you will be able to ask your vehicle to book a table without disrupting the flow of your journey. It will also revolutionise what we consider to be in-car entertainment — it can provide tutoring sessions for children or tell stories which are tailored to their specific interests. 

The integration of innovative AI and multimedia technologies into next-gen autonomous vehicles will redefine how we view automotive travel. We will start to view vehicles as an extension of our home rather than just a mode of transport. Passengers can take advantage of advanced video conferencing features that are supported by AI gaze correction and AI-based audio enhancement, allowing them to stay seamlessly connected with family, friends or even work colleagues whilst on the road. Ray tracing graphics will elevate the monitors even further, creating a high-quality and immersive experience, whether this is calling a friend, watching a film or even gaming.

Bringing edge to the automotive industry

Whether it's inside or outside the vehicle, cameras and sensors will be critical in allowing AI to improve both safety and entertainment features. Despite the benefits of detecting that the driver could be falling asleep or identifying an obstruction in the road, there are likely to be privacy concerns amongst consumers if there are cameras facing inside and outside the vehicle. 

Consumers won’t want this information being sent to and from the cloud, as it leaves potentially private information or conversations more vulnerable to being exploited. Fortunately, developments in edge AI mean that this information will remain on-device and never leave the vehicle. This eliminates the need for third parties to store sensitive data remotely and mitigates the danger of malicious actors accessing this information.

However, there are still benefits of cloud-based AI when it comes to fleet management and improving overall safety. AI is capable of predictive maintenance and will be able to report issues back to manufacturers securely. This provides invaluable insights into the overall safety of a make and model of a vehicle. If recurring maintenance issues are highlighted, they can alter the design of future models or, in extreme cases, even recall faulty product lines.

This is just the beginning

With so many capabilities to be realised, much of the predictions around AI and the automotive industry are merely scratching the surface. Consumers can expect to see their transport experience transformed, making journeys safer, personalised and more entertaining. 

The everyday car will not just be viewed as a means of transportation but as a digital living room where passengers can continue to be productive, game or connect with friends and family on the move.