If you’ve been around long enough, you likely recall the moment when rockstar Ozzy Osbourne received his new BMW 7 Series. It was in the early part of this century, with Osbourne’s reality show, The Osbournes, sweeping the TV ratings. During one episode, the former Black Sabbath lead singer was shown taking receipt of a glossy, high-priced BMW.
The car was an E65 7 Series. For those enthusiasts who appreciate BMW product codes, this specific model carried an advanced voice control system. The system was something that Ozzy found particularly challenging to use. More accurately, the BMW’s voice recognition software struggled to understand Osbourne’s blurred Birmingham accent, an outcome of years of substance abuse. Although initially amusing, the situation turned increasingly derisive the longer the cameras focused on it.
Fast forward roughly two decades, and voice-assisted systems in cars are everywhere. Annually, automotive manufacturers release fresh modifications and updates intended to render the digital voices in cars more anthropomorphic in sound and response. Not so long ago, if you asked your Mercedes-Benz’s dashboard to share a joke, it would answer in a completely unemotional manner that, “I beg your pardon, my developers were German…”
Such friendly sophistication is set to take a massive leap forward with the integration of general AI in automobiles, largely driven by the software devised for ChatGPT. This much-loved study support tool used by university students is making its way onto the dashboards of cars and it’s not something only for the distant future – orders can already be placed for delivery later this year.
Volkswagen was one of the initial adopters of ChatGPT, declaring in January at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that the software would power its novel in-car digital assistant, named IDA. Beyond the typical in-car voice command functions like adjusting cabin temperature and reading text messages, IDA, assisted by ChatGPT, can theoretically mimic human conversational patterns, engaging in dialogue as though it possesses independent thought.
According to VW’s technical development head, Kai Grünitz, “Volkswagen has continually strived to make technology accessible to the masses. This is simply part of our DNA.”
We’re currently leading as the foremost high-volume manufacturer to integrate this frontier technology standardising vehicles from the compact class and upwards. The incorporation of ChatGPT has been smooth and with a thriving partnership with Cerence, we’re extending extra benefits to our drivers and immediate access to this AI-infused research equipment. This emphasises the progressive capabilities of our brand-new products.”
Peugeot is also introducing ChatGPT in its automobiles. The plan is to implement this feature across all contemporary versions of the company’s passenger vehicles within the year. Much like the system used by VW, this software can manage operations ranging from basic to highly intricate such as providing a simulated tour of a significant site as you pass by or setting up an impromptu quiz to divert children during lengthy trips.
Mercedes is joining the bandwagon with the display of its latest technology at CES. Mercedes has revealed its generative AI assistant which is designed to learn the driver’s routines and necessities, thereby providing well-timed suggestions. For example, it can place a call to your office if you’re running late or activate a calming seat massage and dim the internal atmospheric lights when you’re under stress.
The system synergises with the car’s touchscreen navigation and can alert the driver about potentially dangerous situations like a bike rider in the driver’s blind spot.
“Tomorrow’s Mercedes-Benz user experience will be hyper personalised with our generative AI, our MBUX Virtual Assistant will develop more trust and empathy in the relationship between the driver and their vehicle. With our MB.OS chip-to-cloud infrastructure, future vehicles will offer clients precisely what they want, when they want it” Magnus Östberg, Mercedes’ head of software, stated.
The level of annoyance this electronic intervention could cause remains undetermined and similarly, it’s also uncertain how much these advanced automotive computers will learn about us – and how that may compromise our privacy in upcoming years. Automobile manufacturers will assert GDPR-compliance and anonymising data, however, given the rapid pace at which these machines learn, no one can predict what might occur in the future.
AI in the automotive industry has grown beyond improving in-car entertainment and comfort, demonstrating its immense impact on vehicle production. BMW’s styling team, for instance, already applies AI to aid human designers in ensuring that new car designs meet international regulations, like light and indicator placement requirements.
With the advancement of AI, car designs could be automatically modified to enhance safety for pedestrians and other road users. AI has significantly contributed to increased car manufacturing efficiency which subsequently leads to cost-effective production. By the end of the previous year, Renault stated that Metaverse AI’s predictive capability for parts maintenance saved the company €270 million in closure costs.
Additionally, AI-powered software is assisting Renault technicians in pioneering painting techniques for new vehicles. This not only offers financial benefits but also aids in paint saving strategies with significant environmental advantages.
Renault employs ‘digital twin’ models of its factories which enable continuous and exceptionally rapid simulations of new car production. This aids in identifying manufacturing and logistics weak spots and helps in managing waste efficiently.
In addition, AI extends beyond the production process with potential capabilities to enhance the efficiency of electric car batteries. About:Energy, a UK-based battery tech and data company, in collaboration with Eatron Technologies, an AI trailblazer, attempts to employ AI in improving battery longevity. AI constantly monitors batteries under use and forecasts their lifecycle. With comparisons against real-life data, it provides a comprehensive elucidation of battery health and durability.
Dr Umut Genc, CEO of Eatron, has stated that the novel utilisation of their AI-powered intelligent battery software layer alongside the pioneering AI-DE can enhance a battery pack’s initial life by up to 20 per cent. This advancement facilitates auto manufacturers in the creation of ideally proportioned, budget-friendly battery packs, contributing significantly to our eco-friendly mobility objectives by minimising resource use and CO2 emissions.
Dr Kieran O’Regan, Co-founder and COO of About: Energy, emphasised the employment of their cutting-edge electrochemical models and its simplification of AI model training. This ease of incorporation and swifter time-to-market is beneficial for both auto and battery manufacturers.
The high-precision modeling lessens the necessity for physical tests and provides a more precise, comprehensive overview of battery health. Equipped with this data, the AI-DE implemented system can offer not only an extended battery lifespan but also quicker charging periods.
While individuals like Ozzy might face challenges in initializing his dashboard technology, innovations like these that enhance the efficiency of the next generation electric automobiles, both in operation and production, could find acceptance and forgiveness even from the most avid metal fans.