Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a crucial growth driver for a large number of businesses. Companies are reaching new altitudes of capabilities with the help of artificial intelligence. The automotive sector is witnessed embracing such technologies on a large scale. There are a large number of investments witnessed across the automotive sector for the incorporation of this state-of-the-art technology in an attempt to boost the capabilities of future automobiles. This has resulted in a healthy proliferation of AI in the automotive application.
The implementation of AI is gradually progressing in the automotive sector. Apart from expanding the capabilities of automobiles, AI has a crucial role to play in the vehicle manufacturing alley. It is becoming a vital facet of next-gen automotive manufacturing line of action with the use of technologies such as machine vision quality control powered by AI and intelligent cobots across the assembly lines. Artificial intelligence is, therefore, an undisputable growth-driver for the automotive marketplace.
AI Enabling Autonomous Vehicle Safety Enhancements
As the automotive sector embraces ground-breaking inventions such as self-driving technology, autonomous vehicles, and assisted mobility, artificial intelligence is gaining center stage. A paradigm shift towards autonomous vehicles is further likely to amplify the implementation of AI with an aim to boost the safety and performance of autonomous vehicles.
- According to the latest announcement by Teraki, an AI software provider, Infineon Systems, a semiconductor supplier has planned to make use of its latest AI edge processing software in the automotive microcontroller family in an attempt to enhance the safety of autonomous vehicles. Teraki’s software is designed for processing large amounts of data stored by automotive sensors in combination with machine learning to achieve nearly 10 times more processing speed by using existing automotive hardware.
Recognizing the risk factor associated with the utilization of cloud for processing data, the company is bullish about the AI software that allows data processing within the vehicles without any change to the existing hardware. - Apart from these implementations, another factor highlighting the aspect of AI in the automotive sector is the key initiative taken by leading associations. The South Korean science ministry, for instance, stated that it would provide nearly 14.3 billion won in the coming three years to aid the development of AI chips that would be applicable in self-driving cars.
The ministry further stated that state funds would be used for developing processors, sensors, and in-wheel network communications in cooperation manufacturers. Moreover, the science ministry uncovered plans to add over 247 billion won to shape up the nation’s elementary expertise in next-gen AI semiconductors in the next decade.
Manufacturers Consider AI technology to Achieve Advancements in In-Vehicle Systems
As improving the in-car experience for drivers and passengers remain equally paramount for automakers apart from vehicle performance, the implementation of AI is becoming a significant aspect for them. Leading companies are working towards leveraging the power of AI in in-vehicle systems.
Daimler AG and Xilinx, Inc. recently announced a collaboration for the development of an in-car system with the help of Xilinx technology for AI processing in the automobile applications. The scalable solution was said to be powered by Xilinx automotive platform that consisted of an AI acceleration software and system-on-a-chip (SoC) devices which would deliver low latency, high performance, along with industry-best power efficiency for embedded AI for application in the automotive sector.
In light of this collaboration, experts of deep learning from the Mercedes-Benz Research and Development centers in Germany, Sindelfingen, and India are implementing their AI algorithms on Xilinx’s highly adaptable automotive platform. Mercedes-Benz would productize the AI processor technology by Xilinx which would enable efficient execution of their neural networks.
Evaluating Driver Behavior with AI
While the capabilities of AI are not fully explored, various companies are centering their strategies to discover more applications of AI to enhance the overall experience of passengers and improve the driving experience.
Similar efforts were undertaken by Cobli, a Brazilian startup that has expertise in technological solutions for vehicle fleet management and monitoring. The company is currently emphasizing on safety and refining a tool for recognizing the behavioral patterns of drivers by assessing the data collected by a solar-powered tracker. The driver’s profile would be established with over 90% accuracy with the help of the algorithm that uses collected data. Based on machine learning, the project also had the support from the São Paulo Research Foundation – FAPESP with the help of its program—Innovative Research in Small Business Program.