By Geetika Dube
From autonomous driving to predictive maintenance, AI is the driving force behind groundbreaking industry advancements. Evidently, the innovation trends show extensive worldwide activity, with Asia, North America, and Europe leading the charge. China’s overwhelming share of over 70% of the total AI-related automotive patents filed globally since 2014, compared to the United States’ 17% and Japan’s 7%, indicates a shifting epicenter of automotive innovation.
Our analysis reveals a significant upward trend in AI applications within the automotive sector, signaling the industry’s firm hold on this technology. Over the past 5 years, there has been a 49.6% increase in AI-related automotive innovations. Companies like Honda, China First Automobile, Toyota, and Ford are integrating AI across various functions, from vehicle design and manufacturing to user experience and safety enhancements. Tesla, known for its aggressive push toward innovation, has filed over 250 patents on AI and autonomous driving technologies in the last five years, further cementing the industry’s AI-driven trajectory.
Until a few years ago, automotive was considered a mature industry dominated by established players, but that picture has long changed with the emergence of AI. Despite the dominance of industry giants, smaller players such as Nuro and Amazon-owned Zoox are carving out specific niches within the AI automotive landscape, such as delivery robots and autonomous shuttles.
These companies are developing highly refined and competitive technologies by focusing on a smaller industry segment. Further, these companies are collaborating with established players to gain expertise in the domain. Waymo’s partnerships with automakers like Chrysler, Jaguar, and Renault Nissan Mitsubishi have enabled the development and deployment of advanced autonomous driving technologies across various vehicle platforms.
Enhanced AI algorithms will lead to the development of fully autonomous vehicles. McKinsey predicts that by 2030, about 20% of all new cars sold globally will have some level of driving automation.
AI-powered predictive maintenance will reduce vehicle downtime and enhance safety by identifying potential issues before they become critical. Further, AI will enable highly personalized driving experiences, tailoring settings and preferences to individual drivers. AI technologies are improving vehicle safety through Enhancements in driver-assistance systems (DAS) and human-machine interfaces (HMI). These technologies aim to improve safety by providing timely information and alerts to drivers, potentially reducing accidents. Advancements in vision-based systems underpin various functionalities, such as lane-keeping assistance, pedestrian detection, and traffic sign recognition, which are crucial for ADAS and autonomous driving. World Metric Report 2024 shares that using AI in fleet management can improve efficiency by 20% and reduce road accidents by 30%.
AI is not just driving the development of connected cars but also playing a pivotal role in creating a more sustainable future for the automotive industry. By enabling vehicles to communicate with each other and with infrastructure, AI is developing an eco-friendly automotive sphere, from optimizing fuel efficiency to supporting the transition to electric vehicles.
Advancements in fast-charging technologies, wireless charging systems, and smart grid integration support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. The growing number of innovations in learning methods and autonomous decision-making suggest advancements in AI capabilities within vehicles. These technologies can optimize vehicle performance, predict maintenance needs, and improve energy efficiency. By 2030, AI-powered vehicles could potentially reduce CO2 emissions by up to 25%. These AI innovations are not just technological advancements but a ray of hope for a greener, more sustainable automotive future.
The future of automotive technology is intricately linked with AI-powered innovation. Recent advancements by governments worldwide further emphasize the importance of AI in the automotive sector. For example, the U.S. government’s investment in AI research as part of its broader technology strategy highlights the strategic significance of AI. Similarly, the European Union’s AI Act aims to regulate and promote AI technologies, ensuring safe and ethical AI integration in industries, including automotive. These policies are likely to accelerate the adoption of AI in automotive technologies.
(The author is Geetika Dube, Product Manager at GreyB, and the views expressed in this article are her own)
