Sure, we’re all getting used to having access to generative AI (GenAI) on our smartphones, computers, and tablets, but did you know it’s coming to your car, too?
At this year’s CES show in Las Vegas, there was once again a big focus on the advanced technologies coming to vehicles of all kinds, but there was a particular focus on integrating AI into the driving experience.
Companies like BMW and Honda were talking about and demonstrating GenAI-powered assistants in their car infotainment systems for everything from improved steering to hands-free control of more vehicle functions. At the same time, many automakers and major chip providers like Nvidia and Qualcomm were also talking about how they are using GenAI models to improve assisted and autonomous driving features.
Nvidia, in particular, made a big point in its CES keynote to talk about how it’s bringing AI into the physical world thanks to some new AI-powered world-building models and digital simulation tools. The company cited autonomous driving (and robotics) as the first examples of how it is using the new technology.
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Another key theme from the show that intersects with this AI trend is the growing influence of software-defined vehicles (SDV), a topic that Qualcomm and many other chip providers have discussed in recent years. Essentially, a software-defined vehicle makes your car take on the characteristics of devices like your smartphone, where new capabilities and improved functions can be delivered via over-the-air software updates. While the concept of SDVs has been around for a while now, this year’s CES offered clear signs that it is quickly becoming a reality in more than just a few high-end electric vehicles.
Plus, AI advancements and SDV concepts can be combined to make the car automatically improve the algorithms that control its assisted and autonomous driving features. The net result is an increasingly digital, AI-influenced experience that will begin to influence a wide range of new cars and trucks – and how we interact with them – from later this year onwards.
All of these topics and more came up during a panel discussion (moderated on the show by yours truly) on the future of the automotive industry called “Revolutionizing the Future of Driving, Unleashing the Power of AI.” The discussion included representatives from BMW, Honda, Rivian, Nuro (a startup developing AI autonomous driving technology) and Arm (the company that sponsored the session), whose flagship chip designs are used by Nvidia, Qualcomm, NXP and most automobiles others. chip makers.
The 30-minute session (a recording of which can be found here ) provided a fascinating look at how all of these companies are integrating AI in different ways and through different systems into their vehicles and/or core automotive technologies. If you’re even remotely interested in how cars and trucks will evolve over the next few years, I encourage you to check out the recording.
Among the many examples and ideas discussed was the ability to essentially talk to your car, thanks to the integration of AI-powered assistants who actually understand what you’re asking and can respond in an accurate and meaningful way. Many cars have had voice-based command and control functions for several years, but most have been extremely limited in how they can respond.
In the next generation of vehicles, you’ll be able to ask things in a much more natural way and get answers that are useful. So, for example, while you’re starting a road trip, you can ask for suggestions on the best places to stop and eat, say, Thai food along your route, based on the traffic patterns expected to be there when you arrive. in certain areas. The vehicle will then offer suggestions (and may eventually learn your preferences) and automatically enter your location choice into the navigation system.
New safety-focused features will not only monitor the driver for drowsiness and alert them if they detect it, but automatically (and safely) pull the car over to the side of the road if the driver is unresponsive.
An intriguing new option is the ability to share personal preferences that increasingly powerful AI assistants are starting to gather on our smartphones and computers, so we can keep a portable digital identity with all our unique choices that run consistently across all our different devices – including our cars. While there is still work to be done here – as well as some key privacy and security issues that need to be addressed – it’s certainly an interesting new opportunity for the future.
Some of the latest cars from major automakers are starting to incorporate examples of some of the concepts discussed here, but it was clear from the discussions at CES that much more progress is coming, and at a rapid pace. As we’re beginning to see from early experiments with GenAI, its real potential is to make things involving technology significantly more intuitive to use. A lot of the latest car technology may be nice, but it’s not the easiest to use, so progress towards making our vehicles truly “smart” is an important step in the right direction.
USA TODAY columnist Bob O’Donnell is the president and chief analyst of theTECHNOLOGY researcha consulting and market research firm. You can follow him on Twitter@bobodtech.
