In recent months, there has been much talk about artificial intelligence (AI), mainly due to the GPT chat and the launch of innovative humanoid machines and robots. However, AI solutions have been known for years, in various areas of life and economic sectors. As the latest special report from EFL demonstrates, this is also true for the transport and automotive industry, where the importance of AI continues to grow.
Chatbots on the Rise
GPT chat has become the most popular AI-based tool in recent months, with almost 3 million Poles using it in April alone. Chatbots providing instant responses are becoming increasingly common in the transport industry as well. They can be useful, for example, in estimating travel times, assessing weather and road conditions, tracking shipments, and generating transport documents.
In response to this trend, the Polish Road Transport Institute has created a report titled “Will GPT chat change transport?” The authors estimate that by 2035, the implementation of AI will increase the efficiency of the economy by 11-37%.
AI in Transport: Safety, Efficiency, and Ecology
The application of artificial intelligence in transport brings many benefits: it optimizes logistics processes, reduces the number of repetitive tasks, comprehensively collects and processes data (e.g., related to costs and delivery schedules), and helps manage risk. According to a report by Precedence Research, by 2030, the global value of AI in the transport sector will reach nearly $14.8 billion.
AI is used in various areas, including fleet management systems. It allows real-time analysis of data from hundreds of vehicles, used, for example, to optimize driving styles. This information includes location, road conditions, fuel consumption, vehicle condition, and driver well-being. Transport based on artificial intelligence leads to a reduction in road accidents and the limitation of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Growing Value of AI in Automotive
Artificial intelligence is increasingly important in the automotive industry as well. According to Grand View Research, the global value of AI-based technologies in the automotive industry reached $40 billion in 2022. The technologies used in this sector include machine learning, natural language processing, image recognition, and contextual processing.
AI’s presence in automotive has been observed for years. Conducting thousands of tests in virtual reality before a vehicle goes on sale would be impossible without it. “It would be very costly in traditional conditions, sometimes even impossible,” says Adam Mioduszewski, Senior Innovation Designer at EFL.
Increasingly Intelligent and Autonomous Vehicles
In modern cars, virtual assistants enhance comfort and safety during travel, and voice commands facilitate many activities. Data analysis allows adjusting the car’s settings to the driver’s individual needs. Moreover, sensors controlled by AI detect driver fatigue and warn of dangerous situations. They also remind about the need to fasten seat belts, inform about upcoming weather changes, and encourage breaks from driving.
The widespread use of AI promotes rapid and efficient design of systems that improve safety, driving comfort, and the aesthetics of new vehicle models. “Artificial intelligence is present in an increasing number of areas in the automotive industry and will increasingly be noticeable to the end user of the car,” comments Aneta Nowak, Market Product Manager at EFL.