Artificial intelligence (AI) and self-driving cars are often complimentary topics in technology. Simply put, you cannot really discuss one without the other. When you think of AI applications in the automotive industry, you might first think of self-driving cars. But AI can do more than drive. It can keep us connected, on schedule, and safe even when we are driving ourselves.
It’s expected that the value of artificial Intelligence in automotive manufacturing and cloud services will exceed $10.73 billion by 2024.
Though many believe autonomous vehicles are the future, there are several ways in which AI and machine learning are being implemented in the vehicles are built and how they operate on the road.
Check out how these companies are putting the AI pedal to the metal.
GOOGLE – WAYMO: 360-DEGREE PERCEPTION TECHNOLOGY
Beginning as Google’s exploration of self-driving vehicles, Waymo LLC is now a self-driving technology development company. It is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. Waymo originated as a project of Google before it became a stand-alone subsidiary in December 2016. Waymo has been conducting test drives in Phoenix for the last year, and plans to launch a public ride-hailing service before the end of 2018.
Waymo’s AI software crunches data from the vehicles’ lidar, radar, high-resolution cameras, GPS, and cloud services to produce control signals that operate the vehicle.
TESLA
Tesla has succeeded in becoming a household name in the electric car market. Now it wants to so the same thing with self-driving vehicles.
Tesla’s Autopilot software goes beyond driving the car where you tell it to go. If you are not in the mood for talking, AutoPilot will check your calendar and drive you to your scheduled appointment.
Every new Tesla comes fully equipped for autonomous driving. All that is needed is regulatory approval so the company can enable the software, putting AI in the driver’s seat.
AUTOX: SELF-DRIVING GROCERY DELIVERY
AutoX makes retail-based autonomous vehicles. Currently with a focus on grocery delivery, users can pick items through their app and have them delivered along with the ability to browse their vehicle-based mobile store upon delivery.
The vehicles combine AI software, sensors, real-time cameras and thousands of test miles, both virtual and real, to ensure safe decisions on the road.
DRIVE.AI: TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS ON FIXED ROUTES
Drive.ai is utilizing artificial intelligence to change current transportation systems with self-driving services. The purpose of the fleets is to transport passengers along fixed routes that are more easily monitored than personal autonomous vehicles, which need to stay updated with changes that can impact driving, such as construction, speed limits, accidents and road closures.
The vehicles are not only autonomous, they also communicate with drivers and pedestrians within the vicinity, such as displaying a sign to pedestrians indicating it will wait for them to cross.
NUTONOMY: NAVIGATING COMPLEX TRAFFIC SITUATIONS
nuTonomy is creating autonomous technology for completely driverless vehicles. The company’s goal is to provide fleets of autonomous cars wherever they’re needed to ensure safer roads, less traffic and less pollution.
nuTonomoy’s technology, nuCore allows for flexible and human-like vehicle handling (without the error). The software enables vehicles to navigate even the most complex traffic situations.
OPTIMUS RIDE: SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
Optimus Ride is a self-driving vehicle company that creates autonomous cars for geo-fenced locations. Coming out of MIT, Optimus provides easy and safe transportation for campuses, communities and cities.
The company’s smart, electric vehicles enable the implementation of more efficient and sustainable cities, freeing up parking, limiting the amount of cars on the road and decreasing environmental impact.
Applications of AI in the Automobile Industry
- Driving Features: AI lends itself perfectly to powering advanced safety features for connected vehicles.
- Cloud Services: The application of artificial intelligence in cloud platforms ensures that data is available when needed.
- Automotive Insurance: AI speeds up the process of filing claims when accidents do occur.
- Car Manufacturing: Robots are driving optimisation and the rethinking of processes and production in innovative new ways.
- Driver Monitoring: AI software detects driver behaviour in several key areas like Identification. Recognition, Monitoring and infotainment control.
DRIVER-ASSIST
If you’re lucky enough to have a new car that can parallel park itself, then you’re in possession of a vehicle utilizing an AI-powered advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS).
There are many different types of ADAS like automatic braking, driver drowsiness detection, lane departure warning and other safety features.
Some systems go beyond those already implemented in many major vehicle brands, being used by companies to re-train their commercial drivers and avoid collisions within their fleets.
Here’s how a few companies are using artificial intelligence in driver-assisted technologies to make the roads safer.
- CarVi makes an ADAS that can be used for personal vehicles, fleets, ride-sharing or auto insurance companies.
- Nauto creates AI sensor technology for commercial fleets. The system uses data to keep drivers attentive enough to avoid collisions and traffic violations.
MANUFACTURING
With over 70 million cars produced last year, it’s no wonder manufacturers are seeking out machinery and ways to enhance production.
Artificial intelligence is not only changing the cars on the road, but the factories that build them.
Here are a few examples of how smart machinery and AI-powered systems are making automotive production lines more efficient.
- DataRPM – PREDICTING MACHINE FAILURE WITH MACHINE LEARNING, a subsidiary of Progress Software Corporation, provides anomaly detection and prediction solutions for a variety of industries.
- Rethink Robotics makes co-bots, or collaborative robots, for industrial automation. These robots are used to automate factory tasks that are tedious, dirty or even dangerous for human workers.
