In 2019, the first cars qualified as ADAS (Adaptive Driver Assistance System) level 3 will hit the road, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will enter ADAS level 2 cars, replacing conventional computer-vision algorithms. For infotainment, AI is already present in high-end BMW, Volvo, and Mercedes models as an option involving relatively low volumes. Moreover, embedded in-car computing remains quite inexpensive because the computing is done in the Cloud. However, as for the smart-home market, there is a willingness to bring AI to the Edge, implying the need to create powerful, more expensive computing.
AI enters the fray with speech and gesture recognition technologies. Smart-home giants Google and Amazon are now in cars with their well-known speech recognition solutions “Ok, Google!” and “Alexa”, respectively. And Google goes even further by integrating its Android operating system. In terms of gesture recognition, Sony Softkinetic plays a central role with OEMs in developing these solutions.
“Artificial intelligence shortens the path to autonomy and brings the home into the car,” comments Yohann Tschudi, PhD., Technology & Market Analyst at Yole. “AI is slowly but surely invading more and more markets, and thus the daily movements of each one.” According to Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation (MDI), AI can be an important tool to serve and strengthen our society and improve human life quality, such as smart homes and autonomous car in a near future.