Artificial Intelligence (AI) has had a clear impact on many business sectors, but it is particularly powerful in the manufacturing and automotive industries. Projections show that AI in the automotive industry will have a compound annual growth rate of almost 40 percent reaching $15.9 billion by the year 2027. The world is seeing a continued increase in the demand for connected vehicles and smart technologies such as voice and image recognition. The result is an industry that will continue to rely on both AI and automation in the design, production, and use of automobiles.
Beyond Autonomous Cars
For many, the idea of AI in the automotive industry conjures up images of autonomous or self-driving cars. These vehicles are certainly one of the more visible applications of the technology, but there is so much more behind the scenes — and under the proverbial hood. AI and automation has become essential in the design and production of automobiles, as well as the thousands of associated parts that go into every car. Automation and the use of smart robots has been crucial to the manufacturing process.
AI has also become a critical part of the interplay between the production and the sales of automobiles. Sales data and vehicle data can be used in predictive modeling to better regulate production according to real-time demand. This sort of agility is needed as the industry has seen multiple supply chain failures during the recent pandemic.
The Automotive Value Chain
Artificial intelligence and automation are utilized across all three primary categories within the automotive value chain:
Manufacturing
The manufacturing process starts with design and progresses through the supply chain, production, and post-production. Leveraging AI in the automotive industry enables the design of the vehicle as well as the equipment and robots used in the building of the autos. Examples include AI-powered wearable exoskeletons that designers can wear to help develop better safety and comfort in cars.
Transportation
Transportation benefits from the use of AI in the automobile industry by developing driver assist programs, autonomous driving, driver risk assessments, and driver monitoring, such as monitoring a driver’s eye to identify the danger of falling asleep at the wheel.
Service
AI can be used for predictive maintenance and notifications for things like engine and battery performance, as well as insurance programs that monitor driver behavior in calculating risks and costs.
Digital Twins in Automotive Manufacturing
Designing and testing an automobile and the thousands of parts involved in manufacturing can be immensely expensive and very time consuming. The time commitment and financial investment are what make digital twin technology invaluable. What is a digital twin? Initially introduced 20 years ago, a digital twin is simply a virtual model used for testing processes, products, and services. Analysts, engineers, and scientists are able to study real world scenarios in safe, cost effective, and virtual worlds.
In automotive manufacturing, digital twin technology offers a more cost-effective method for testing the car, or a part of the car using the virtual twin to gain a deeper understanding of the performance of the real-world product. Twin technology can also be used for testing fixes, modifications, or repairs. In addition to the obvious cost savings, companies may save time and reduce defects in the final product.
The Driver’s Experience
Futuristic visions of self-driving cars may not be that far off, but AI offers more immediate and beneficial opportunities by upgrading the driver experience. Using computer vision, natural language processing, and robotic automation, manufacturers are producing vehicles that are safer and more comfortable. These vehicles come equipped with computer technology and connectivity that can better understand road and weather conditions, behavior of other drivers, and traffic.
Consider these systems that are coming soon or already available:
- Driver monitoring offers services ranging from adjusting controls for different drivers to monitoring head and body position to detect drowsiness or to adjust body position during an accident.
- Driver Assistance can utilize AI to monitor blind spots, assist with steering and braking, alert drivers of dangerous conditions, and even help park the car.
- Driver assessment can analyze a driver’s history and predict potential issues based on historical behavior or even mood in certain circumstances.
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While employers develop and offer training for the immediate skills of current jobs, there is going to be a continuing need for those with advanced skills for the evolving automotive world. Educational programs in AI and ML provide skills in critical areas like natural language processing, TensorFlow, computer vision, and data science. Certifications from partners like Purdue and IBM will provide credibility for those looking to optimize their value in the workplace, particularly in sectors that are experiencing massive growth like the automotive industry.
