Speaking instead of typing: AI for cars from Continental and Google Cloud

Continental is working with Google Cloud to bring artificial intelligence (AI) into cars. Continental is one of the first automotive suppliers to integrate Google Cloud applications directly into vehicle computers. With their help, drivers enter into a natural dialogue with their vehicles. For example, they can ask about the correct tire pressure for the vehicle when fully loaded or when on vacation for information about sights along the route or at the destination. The underlying generative AI compiles the required information and can answer the drivers’ questions. The two companies each bring their expertise in the fields of automotive, software, AI and cloud computing to the partnership.

The vehicle is becoming more intelligent

Thanks to the AI-based system from Google Cloud, users enter into a dialogue with their vehicle. For example, they can request information about hotels or attractions on their route and much more using a simple voice command. When asked for more information about a specific historical building nearby, Google Cloud’s generative AI compiles detailed information in real time and can play it back like an audio guide in a museum. Drivers can also ask follow-up questions without repeating the context. The dialogue system understands and interprets the context correctly. Continental ensures that information flows directly from the vehicle into the dialogue. For example, if the driver wants to know where the USB charging plug for the cell phone can be found in the vehicle or what the tire pressure should be when the vehicle is fully loaded, the dialogue system provides assistance from the vehicle’s operating manual. The generative artificial intelligence of Google Cloud also allows the system to continually learn. It can create new content and adapt to user preferences.

Smart Cockpit high-performance computer: balance between system performance and user experience

With this solution, Continental offers another component in the road-to-cloud ecosystem and expands the instrumentation, entertainment and driver assistance functions pre-integrated in its Smart Cockpit HPC. In this way, the company reduces development effort, complexity and costs for automobile manufacturers. The Smart Cockpit HPC aims to balance user experience and system performance, meeting customer requirements for typical cockpit designs with driver and central displays. The pre-integrated functions can minimize costs. The bottom line is that this leads to a quick market launch – from receipt of order to readiness for series production in 18 months.

Continental was the first supplier to pave the way for HPC-based vehicle architecture. Together with Volkswagen, Continental put the first central HPC for the entire vehicle networking of the ID. electric models into series production. By the end of 2024 alone, 30 vehicle models from different manufacturers with Continental high-performance computers will go into production.

You can read this and other articles on the topic of electromobility & autonomous driving in the current eMove360° magazine in german language. Download for free or order a print edition in the shop.

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