Artificial intelligence is considered the new trend across many industries today. Many applications and soft wares are just the product of advanced artificial analytics and tools. AI solution providers are reshaping the corporate world and it must not be an exaggeration to say that technology is the inevitable future now. Many sectors are completely revolutionized by artificial intelligence tools, including security, finance, the healthcare system, agriculture, manufacturing, the corporate world, transportation, and whatnot.
As AI gains familiarity across various markets, manufacturing industries have also aided in the mobility and transportation sector. The recent advances in the category of automotive AI have paved a new road for us, making our lives much easier than ever. Drastic changes have taken place in the automotive industry and mobility sector. AI is not just reforming this sector but also a massive competitive advantage driver. Improvements are being made to the existing products, and newly updated products are also being launched in the market. This article gives an insight into how AI solution providers are reshaping the future of mobility for us.
Automotive AI operated on the basic principle of machine learning (ML) and is a significant source of competitive advantage. AI-operated soft wares and machinery operate automatically by various AI algorithms. AI solution providers have successfully installed certain soft wares in these AI machines. Using the technique of ML, the input data and analytics are processed and the technology is then able to deliver in three prime areas in automotive AI or mobility. i.e.
- Handle highly complex situations (by processing the input data and learning from it).
- Handle multiple situations at a time that can be covered by explicit programming.
- To improve over time without any obvious external instruction.
This pretty much sums up the importance of automotive AI in recent times. It seems to be no longer an optional category it has become the need of the hour.
Automotive AI In Urban Mobility:
Artificial intelligence is technically the development of computer systems and sifts wares that can perform tasks without any human intervention. There is an increased drive towards digital transformation in almost every other industry. The ability of AI-driven systems to interpret and analyze the data, assist in concluding results and generate various insights that might seem beyond human processing capabilities have made it possible to change the mobility system. Automotive AI is aiding in the mobility sector by:
- Predicting the number of passengers in any public transport vehicle.
- Providing an estimate of the number of people on public transport (to know how crowded it is)
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, AI’s promising applications made it possible to make social distancing maximum in public transport by keeping a check and balance on the number of passengers at a time.
- According to a general survey, it was seen that about fifty percent of the surveyed consumers felt safe because of the usage of AI-operated autonomous vehicles. This is mainly because artificial intelligence applications and tools have successfully increased the levels of comfort and convenience for people. There are minimal (in fact, zero percent) chances of accidents through digital automatization of vehicles, as seventy-six percent of the surveyed consumers think so.
- There are minimum hazardous effects on the environment as well, as there is a reduced percentage of emissions and gaseous waste.
- Automotive AI has benefitted society in specific ways as the traffic flows are optimized and managed by AI solution providers’ tools and applications. Furthermore, fewer parking spaces are required now.
AI solution providers aim at improving and enhancing productivity in the mobility sector. This is possible by building and formulating consumer-friendly products. This is the reason automotive AI mainly focuses on:
- Optimizing the processes and increasing overall productivity.
- Unlocking new advanced user-friendly products.
- Laying down the basis of vertical businesses and consumers will undoubtedly increase the use of these newly launched automotive AI products.
Automotive AI Applications:
AI solution providers have come up with several solutions to enhance mobility and improve the transportation sector.
Automation Of Vehicles:
One of the revolutionary automotive AI applications in the mobility sector is the automation of vehicles. Automation of vehicles has made life much easier and safer as it is very convenient with minimum chances of accidents. The degree of automation in any vehicle is set according to the International Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards. The six degrees of automation are defined by the operating mechanisms, whether the AI system is aiding the driver or the system is solely running the vehicles. Vehicle automation is measured on a standard SAE scale where level o means no automation and level 6 is full automation.
Most of the automated cars in practice these days are equipped with certain Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which aid the driver in the process. The striking feature of these systems include:
- Assistance in parking.
- Adaptive control of the front lights of the vehicle.
- Keeping assistance in the driving process, minimizing the chances of accidents.
- Specific vehicles have partial automation that is, they are on autopilot under certain conditions and under the control of drivers other than that time. This falls under SAE level 3 as it is only partially automated. Some autonomous vehicles are already operational in countries like Norway, Sweden, and France. One such example of an autonomous vehicle is “Olli” which is an automated self-driven electric shuttle, developed by an American company and powered by IBM Watson. This electric shuttle can analyze the surrounding traffic and make decisions based on the data received. Not only this, Olli provides additional information to its passengers regarding nearby restaurants and weather. AI is also used for driver and ride-matching services in uber like platforms and route optimization.
Implement Artificial Intelligence at work to meet the changing expectations of teams around the world
Robotaxis:
Robotaxi, also called Robo-taxi, is one of the wonders of the automotive AI industry. It is an AI-operated autonomous self-driving taxi that requires no driver or human intervention for its processing. This was one of the bewildering mobility solution products in 2018, particularly in urban areas. The reason behind its increasing popularity was its astounding features;
- Safe driving experience with minimal (almost zero) chances of accidents.
- Minimum fuel consumption.
- No hazardous environmental effects.
- Smooth traffic flows lead to lesser traffic jams and congestion.
- Lessens parking issues.
AI solutions providers put forth this model as one of the solutions to the mobility problems in urban areas but still, trials are being conducted before these taxis are out in the market worldwide. The most striking feature of this car, which is no driver, also poses a threat to the jobs of people which may lead to increased unemployment. Some cost and cybersecurity issues are also being dealt with before these marvellous AI products are finally out on the market. Efforts are being made to install advanced light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems, digital maps, and more exciting features that will change the mobility sector entirely.
- TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS:
AI solutions providers have inculcated AI algorithms for traffic management operations. One such example is “SurTrac” by Rapid Flow Technologies, a Carnegie Mellon University spinoff, that provides immediate and effective solutions for intelligent traffic signal controls. It has successfully coordinated traffic flows at nine traffic signals on three major roads in Pittsburgh. Smooth and rapid traffic flows to reduce travel times by twenty-five percent on average, and the waiting time is reduced by 40 percent. It also reduced stops by 25-30 percent and reduced emissions by 20 percent. All of these calculated times have been recorded in trial sessions.
- Marine system:
Artificial intelligence tools are conquering land as well as water, and one such practical application I the autonomous marine ships. Shipping companies can use these autonomous ships and are currently testing their prototypes. A successful trial was already conducted in Finland in 2018. AI solution providers aim to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. One such fruitful effort was the partnership of Hong Kong-based shipping line OOCL with Microsoft’s AI research center to optimize their network operations. This union generated savings of $10 million per year for OOCL.
- Transportation trucks:
Chinese logistics companies are using AI technology and applications to drive these autonomous trucks this year. These trucks fall under the SAE 4 of autonomy, which means that can operate automatically under certain conditions without any human intervention.
Trucking has mainly been the target of AI solution providers. Cargo deliveries have been made easier with these automated trucks. Uber’s first attempt was made in 2015 when an autonomous truck carried 50,000 cans of Budweiser beer over a distance of 120 miles from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs. Other types of transportation trucks and cargo are still in the trial phase.
- Railways:
AI-installed soft wares have revolutionized railways. AI solution providers have increased the efficiency of locomotives by installing sensors that gather data, analyze it and facilitate real-time decisions. The performance of the railways has been improved as there is controlled brake performance, temperature controls, and lesser fuel consumption.
- Improving transport infrastructure:
Apart from the automation of vehicles, the entire transport infrastructure is being revolutionized by artificial intelligence applications. Traffic conditions can be made very much in control. AI solution providers have made their utmost efforts to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers.
The future automotive AI will be characterized by smart automated vehicles and smart roads that would be equipped to accommodate them. This requires adequate cooperation between vehicles and infrastructure. For example, “Intelligent traffic lights” help improve traffic conditions, prioritize vehicles like ambulances, and recognize emergencies. This is made possible by approaching an intersection and adapting green/ red cycles to the actual flows. Advancements are also being made in developing transit services to enhance the use of coherent multimodal transport solutions. This would also benefit environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
In the future, automated self-driving vehicles will be used as the “feeder services” that enable people to connect across rural to urban areas. In this way, the areas where transit lines do not operate with greater frequencies, are entangled in this neural network. Catchment areas are enlarged, public transport partiality is increased and the need to fundamentally own a car is reduced.
- For physically handicapped people:
Automotive AI presents a solution for physically handicapped people as well. Automated vehicles help these people to travel without having to depend on others. Elderly people can also use this as they cannot drive due to physical weakness related to their increasing age. People can easily carry out other driving activities like reading books, doing office work, or anything else.
How ML Is Helping In The Mobility Sector:
- DECISION MAKING: ML forms an integral component of AI-operated soft wares and applications. In the mobility sector, we can say that our vehicles can not react to every situation without the aid of ML. This is because manually driven cars and roadside pedestrians present many situations. And a manual human programmer is unable to predict and assess every possible situation. ML is the right solution to this problem which processes the input data, interprets the situation, and reacts accordingly. One of the practical applications that are already being installed in road and traffic systems is smart traffic lights. These AI operating devices can automatically self-regulate the red-green cycle according to the traffic flow reaching the intersections. These devices are capable of self-programming according to the time of the day, week, or even month.
- IMAGE RECOGNITION: ML techniques have been used in image recognition for the past fifteen to twenty years. ML applications can extract the features of human faces, store them in memory from data, and later on, uses this for optimal image recognition.
- PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT: ML plays a significant role in improving the existing products, and service quality, enhancing productivity, and reducing the cost values in the automotive AI industry. The existing conventional products are being restructured but it requires a complete shift of business models from the classical one. Efforts are being made to overcome this hindrance. Furthermore, many new products are being launched in the market that enhances the consumers’ experience and compels them to use them more often.
.
Challenges Faced By The Automotive AI Industry:
Digital automation by AI operating tools might seem the perfect solution to many problems that we are facing today but there are certain challenges that automotive AI is facing right now
- Stakeholders in this advanced AI industry require completely new commitments and partnerships, to begin with, that will support AI setup in the longer run. This seems to be one of the trickiest initial steps where most industries like to withdraw.
- It is quite baffling for AI automotive and mobility industries to cope with advancing technology. There are specific barriers to implementing and merging conventional systems with new technology. Whole new systems need to be installed to make this work.
- A huge investment is required to consolidate new AI-operated systems with the traditional mobility ecosystems. It is said that a disclosed investment of about USB 51.5 billion had been made since the year 2010 into such companies striving to claim their position. And the investment amount in the past four years has increased four times compared to the last four years.
- The increased availability and automation of vehicles in urban areas would lead to increased traffic congestion and resource and energy consumption. This will ultimately have some adverse effects on the country’s environment, society, and financial stability.
What Does The Future Hold For us?
Artificial intelligence and technology are the inevitable future of us. It is will bring radical changes in the transportation and mobility sector shortly. Many advanced solutions are being proposed to overcome the issues we are facing today. People will be offered shared mobility shortly, where they would have to essentially own any vehicle for transport purposes. The vehicles can be rented and shared within the community hence termed “shared mobility”.
It is necessary to carefully evaluate the potential effects of artificial intelligence applications and tools on the transportation and mobility sector. AI solution providers aim to balance the positive influences automotive AI brings and its negative consequences. Currently, AI solution provider holds the key to dramatically increasing productivity in the transportation sector along with increased efficacy and efficiency in the mobility sector. Some of these changes are happening today, and some will happen shortly. Today’s transportation system is much better, safer, and more efficient. And all this has been possible due to the advancements in automotive AI