How Is AI Used in a Car?

The future is here. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become so integral in our everyday lives—from simple grammar checkers to a smart-home system, AI is here to stay. But what about cars? Have you ever wondered how AI applications are used in modern autos?

Imagine these scenarios: your car lights turn on automatically at night, or your brakes suddenly kick in when a child runs out into the street. These are some examples of how AI works in your vehicle.

And thanks to these intelligent technologies, we are now safer on and off the roads in our daily lives. In this article, we’ll look at how various car brands use AI in their vehicles and explore some of their functions.

Applications of AI in the Automobile Industry

The way we use AI in vehicles is linked to our everyday experience with them. From our locking systems to our entertainment systems, AI is part of the driving experience.

Here are the many ways AI comes to play in our rides.

Autonomous driving

Autonomous driving is one of the coolest AI uses in cars and is quite the most futuristic AI function. We may have to get used to seeing an empty driver's seat, but autonomous vehicles can detect their surrounding environment and respond accordingly. This function eliminates the need for a human driver, making the passengers feel like they are sitting in an Autobot Transformer – cue Bumblebee.

How does this happen? These cars use deep-learning algorithms and sensors to process the surrounding data and make appropriate decisions based on that. Autonomous vehicles can see objects on the road, correctly read traffic signs, and adjust the speed and route to avoid dangerous collisions.

Driving assistance systems

If autonomous driving is the coolest, driver assistance systems are among the most popular. These systems have now become standard safety features in many cars today.

Again, machine-learning algorithms and sensors teach the systems to respond to the environment around the car. They help the auto-mobiles detect potential hazards and make split-second decisions to support human intervention.

Common features in driving assistance systems may include:

• Lane departure warnings
• Blind spot monitoring to avoid crashes
• Adaptive cruise control
• Emergency brakes

Voice control

Another popular AI application in cars is voice control. This feature allows drivers to interact with their vehicles by giving verbal commands.

You can control just about anything with this awesome technology: music playback, navigation, climate control, and more.

This technology takes into account AI-powered speech recognition and natural language processing to understand and respond to complex commands.

Facial recognition

Facial recognition in cars is relatively new in the automotive industry. But if you're a driver worried about your car's safety, this feature is a major advantage.

It uses advanced science to detect and recognize faces so that you can unlock your vehicle without traditional keys or passwords.

If you share your car with family members, don’t stress—facial rec systems have more advanced applications, such as recognizing different drivers authorized to your car and adjusting settings accordingly.

Navigation

Ever used Google Maps or Waze to navigate uncharted territories? That's another important AI application in the automotive industry: navigation.

Navigation helps us reach our desired destination and back again via detailed maps. Of course, once again, clever algorithms are at play, along with data from sensors and cameras.

Car navigation systems can generate route guidance so drivers can efficiently navigate roadblocks that put them in gridlock. They also feature lane recognition, detect traffic lights, and give real-time traffic updates. Drivers can now avoid irritating traffic jams or getting lost in an unfamiliar area.

Driver monitoring systems

Imagine this scenario: you have to work overtime and end up leaving the office in the dead of night. Falling asleep behind the wheel is a significant risk. What do you do?

These days, with AI, you can have your vehicle keep you awake. Using facial recognition and other sensors, the driver monitoring system in your car can see your face and gauge your condition, whether you're sleepy or tired.

The driver monitoring system (DMS) will alert you using sounds, lights, and message displays. Some vehicles will even have haptic feedback, like buzzing the steering wheel to engage your senses. The AI helps you to regain focus and adjust the right course of action before an accident happens.

This tech can also tell you if you're being unsafe, like speeding, stopping too quickly, or drifting between lanes while checking your phone.

Car Companies That Use AI

Thanks to AI, car enthusiasts everywhere are driving more safely and efficiently than before.

Credit also goes to the top auto-mobile brands in the world that have revolutionized their products with AI.

Let's look at some of the biggest automakers that have employed AI power to bring comfort and safety to their vehicles.

Tesla

The name Tesla is no longer synonymous with the legendary electrical engineer Nikola Tesla. Instead, it now makes people think of self-driving vehicles and Twitter chaos. The Elon Musk-led automotive firm is the leader in pioneering software and the AI it uses to power its vehicles' many features.

The Tesla autopilot uses AI technology such as computer vision, deep learning, and neural networks to detect obstacles and navigate winding roads.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen has long been a leader in AI-based technologies and is creating an incredibly intuitive experience with its Intelligent Drive concepts.

To compete with its rivals, Volkswagen focuses on systems that allow cars to see, think, plan, and act independently. Cameras, radars, and ultrasonics are the technologies this German manufacturer maximizes.

The endgame? To make the roads a safer place for us all. Volkswagen wants their cars to detect obstacles, such as wayward pedestrians or animals crossing.

Plus, their automated system can recognize voice commands, so the hands-free technology keeps your eyes focused on the road.

BMW

BMW's self-driving iNext car is the automaker's bid to join the AI race. Its robust AI systems can predict road conditions by accessing data from all connected vehicles (V2X) around them, enabling them to gauge the best possible course. Thus, both driver and passenger will have a safe journey.

The company is developing a project called road preview. It will detect any bumps or uneven surfaces ahead of time to allow you to anticipate performance changes before reaching them, resulting in increased safety levels on the road.

Volvo

Volve embraces AI technology to achieve its goal of zero fatalities from traffic accidents.

It was originally given the name Vision 2020 to mark the year it hopes to accomplish this feat. But it has since updated its cars with newer technologies.

The Swedish automaker uses a suite of sensors paired with an AI algorithm in each vehicle, designed to identify potholes, pedestrian crossing signs, and other warning signs. The real-time feedback warns the driver about these potential hazards ahead.

Ford

The American brand Ford named its AI-powered system Co-Pilot 360. Its AI technology enhances the entirety of the vehicles to provide drivers with safety, convenience, and connectivity

Ford's AI uses an array of sensors and cameras to recognize other road vehicles and pedestrians. Then, it will alert the driver of potential hazards so they can take corrective action to avoid crashing.

Another fantastic feature of this AI is how the entertainment system is better than ever. No more aimlessly scrolling through radio stations—you can change the station while keeping your hands on the wheel with their intelligent infotainment system!

Mercedes-Benz

What about this leading German automaker? Mercedes-Benz has developed an advanced driver assistance system called Drive Pilot. It can navigate highways and negotiate intersections autonomously.

The AI makes split decisions to safely avoid obstacles and road hazards using a combination of cameras and sensors.

A machine-learning algorithm teaches it to remember and learn from experiences, making it "smarter" and more efficient over time.

AI in Car Manufacturing

The use of artificial intelligence is not limited to personal vehicles. Another use for AI in vehicles comes in the auto-mobile manufacturing side as well.

Instead of a traditional assembly line, many automakers have now employed collaborative robots and advanced AI algorithms to assemble the cars. This process allows companies to increase efficiency and productivity. They can produce cars faster and at a greater number.

AI makes it possible for labor that once needed a human touch to be executed with more precision: welding, drilling, painting, etc.

It has also gobbled up jobs needing attention to details, such as quality control. Scanning components for defects to ensure they meet safety standards has become more accurate.

On the distribution side, AI is also used to optimize supply chains and streamline production processes. Car distribution now comes with fewer logistical headaches for all relevant parties—manufacturers, dealers, and customers.

Final Thoughts

The rise of AI is not a Sarah Conor-esque nightmare, but instead a helpful and powerful tool that has the potential to provide a digital transformation for the auto industry.

Whether it is autonomous driving, voice recognition, predictive maintenance, or any other application of AI, the possibilities are truly endless.

Who knows what's next for the automotive industry and artificial intelligence?

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