As the world rapidly advances in technology, the transport sector is also undergoing a major transformation. Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in next-generation cars—it not only provides additional features but is also becoming a key element determining safety, efficiency, and the driving experience. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Viktor Skrickij, a senior researcher at the VILNIUS TECH Transport and Logistics Competence Centre, developing innovations are creating the opportunity to essentially reinvent the car.
The potential has not yet been fully utilized
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. V. Skrickij, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have long been solving many challenges in mobility and goods transportation, and solving some tasks without AI is very complicated or even impossible.
For example, in a vehicle, AI has become an integral part of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as adaptive cruise control and the recognition of road signs, pedestrians, and animals. Here, AI interprets information received from cameras and other sensors and translates it into a language understandable to the vehicle's controllers.
These and other innovations significantly contribute to increasing road safety—for instance, emergency braking systems can reduce the number of accidents.
However, until now, the full potential of AI could not be utilized—the application of these innovations in mass-produced vehicles was limited by hardware capabilities, and the high implementation cost of many solutions prevented their widespread adoption. Nevertheless, the automotive market is currently undergoing a significant transformation.
The biggest news and breakthrough, according to Assoc. Prof. Dr. V. Skrickij, is the transition from classic cars to software-defined vehicles. As the hardware architecture changes, AI can be applied much more broadly and versatilely.
"Such computing power of electronic control units has not been available until now, so this is a great opportunity to create a completely new vehicle with previously unrealized functions," says the VILNIUS TECH scientist.
AI will take over the driving experience
As technology develops, future car systems will be continuously updated, which will provide even more opportunities for AI application in automated (autonomous) driving. This has many advantages: from reducing the number of traffic accidents to improving traffic efficiency.
"Also, autonomous vehicles can improve transport accessibility for people with disabilities or elderly drivers, reducing their dependence on traditional driving skills. Furthermore, automated vehicles also address the challenge of driver shortages in Europe."
"In the long run, AI will take over our driving experience, because cars can already keep the vehicle in its lane, brake, accelerate, and even change lanes. All the driver needs to do is not let go of the steering wheel," assures the scientist from the Transport and Logistics Competence Centre.
Given the development of AI, in the future, we can also expect technological assistance in optimizing traffic flows, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption, and providing personalized driving services better tailored to user needs.
The biggest challenge – competition with China and the US
Despite the obvious benefits, the implementation of AI in vehicles still faces challenges. In the expert's opinion, the easiest to overcome are the technological and infrastructural ones, so the functionality of cars will continue to increase, while human involvement will be needed less.
However, vehicle autonomy is limited by legal aspects and excessive regulation. Another major challenge is public acceptance.
"Vehicles collect large amounts of data, which can include personal information, driving habits, and location, but we no longer have the privilege of worrying about privacy. While the EU was creating a legal framework for AI, we fell far behind the US and China. The legislation that was created restricts rather than encourages technological development, so this has to change. The current challenge is to increase our competitiveness, and this must be the main focus," says the VILNIUS TECH scientist.
Currently, we are also observing how the electrification revolution will unfold and whether European manufacturers will be able to withstand the competition posed by Chinese manufacturers, the expert adds.
"In China itself, there are currently over 100 electric car manufacturers. In addition, manufacturers and their suppliers in our region are also negatively affected by US tariffs. Only the strongest will survive, so Europe will have to compete very hard for its market share," states Assoc. Prof. Dr. V. Skrickij.
Will also affect prices
The wider application of AI may also impact the price of new vehicles. As Assoc. Prof. Dr. V. Skrickij notes, over the last decade, the number of control units and the volume of software code in cars have increased tenfold. Additionally, rapid electrification is ongoing, which negatively affects the prices of new cars, causing their sales to fall. This leads to manufacturers being hesitant to implement innovative AI technologies in mass-produced cars.
However, although the implementation of AI may initially increase the price of vehicles due to additional costs related to technology development and installation, more efficient vehicles could reduce operating costs in the long run.
"The new vehicle architecture will allow for the optimal use of resources. Moreover, the emergence of smarter, autonomous cars will inevitably change the job market—while the need for drivers in the mobility and logistics sectors may decrease, new jobs related to the development and maintenance of AI technologies will be created," says the Director of the Transport and Logistics Competence Centre.
