#077 Automotive Special - The Future of Driving: Toyota’s AI-Powered Self-Drifting Supra, Mercedes-Benz: Steering Towards the Future with AI.
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AI BYTE #1 📢: The Future of Driving: Toyota’s AI-Powered Self-Drifting Supra
⭐ Imagine a car that can drift around corners like a pro racer, but with the precision and foresight of a supercomputer. Sounds like science fiction, right?
Well, not anymore. Toyota has unveiled the world’s first self-drifting GR Supra, a project that aims to merge racing instincts and AI to enhance vehicle automation technology.
The self-drifting Supra is the result of a collaboration between Toyota Research Institute (TRI) and Stanford University’s Dynamic Design Laboratory. The researchers were inspired by professional drift drivers, who can control their cars in extreme situations by intentionally losing traction and sliding sideways.
They wanted to replicate this skill in an automated vehicle, using machine learning and algorithms derived from human driving styles.
The goal is not to create a car that can perform stunts, but to develop advanced safety technology that can handle emergencies beyond the capabilities of regular drivers.
For example, if a driver encounters a slippery road or an obstacle, the self-drifting Supra could automatically adjust its steering, throttle, and brakes to avoid a crash. This could potentially save thousands of lives, as car accidents are one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
The self-drifting Supra is also a testament to Toyota’s vision of AI as a driving sensei, a co-driver that enhances human skills rather than replacing them. The researchers believe that by learning from the best drivers in the world, they can create sophisticated control algorithms that amplify human driving abilities and keep people safe.
The project is still experimental, but Toyota has demonstrated the self-drifting Supra’s capabilities at the Thunderhill Raceway, where it completed its first autonomous drift around a closed circuit.
The researchers hope to incorporate the developed algorithms into active safety systems, providing a safety net for drivers in emergencies.
Toyota’s self-drifting Supra is an indication of the synergy between human intuition and AI, bringing us closer to a future with fewer road accidents and enhanced driving capabilities.
AI BYTE #2 📢: Mercedes-Benz: Steering Towards the Future with AI
⭐ Mercedes-Benz, a name synonymous with luxury and innovation, is harnessing the power of AI to redefine the driving experience. As one of the pioneers in the automotive sector to integrate AI, Mercedes-Benz is setting new standards in the industry.
In 2018, Mercedes-Benz launched its AI-powered Operating System (OS) in its fleet of A-Class cars. This system, known as the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), leverages Natural Language Processing (NLP) to respond to conversational commands from drivers.
Anchored around deep learning, MBUX adapts to drivers’ habits over time, offering a personalized and intuitive user experience.
Fast forward to 2023, Mercedes-Benz took a significant leap by integrating generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, into its vehicles. This marked one of the first applications of generative AI in the automotive sector.
The ChatGPT-powered voice assistant was made available to more than 900,000 vehicles as part of a beta program. This integration not only enhanced the in-car experience but also demonstrated the potential of AI in revolutionizing the automotive industry.
The potential impact of Gen AI is immense, with an expected annual impact of around $6 trillion to $8 trillion. Mercedes-Benz’s strategy to data privacy and security when using generative AI ensures that the technology is not just innovative but also secure.
The company’s commitment to rapidly iterating through software ideas has been instrumental in bringing the ChatGPT-powered voice assistant to reality.
Looking ahead, the possibilities with Gen AI in the automotive value chain are vast. From repair and diagnosis to sales, personalized marketing, and R&D, AI is poised to drive significant transformations.
As Mercedes-Benz continues to leverage AI, it’s clear that the future of the automotive industry is here, and it’s more intelligent than ever.