The Role of AI in the Fast-changing Automotive Industry in the Philippines

89 percent of business leaders in the Philippines believe that AI will play a vital role in their competitiveness over the next decade, according to a study by top research analyst firm IDC. With many applications in different industries, AI offers genuine potential in driving the next phase of growth in the Philippines. One of the industries that will be affected the most by advancements in AI is the motor vehicle industry. AI’s advanced capabilities, coupled with shifting consumer preferences, are pushing the auto Philippines auto industry into a period of accelerated digital transformation. Various use cases for AI in the Philippines‘ auto industry will cover the entire driving experience and impact vehicle owners, automakers, regulatory agencies, and service providers in different ways.

Making autonomous vehicles

Making self-driving vehicles a reality is the most talk-about application of AI in the auto industry. Various autonomous driving technologies from tech giants like Google, NVIDIA, and Tesla are already being tested in the US, indicating that we are not that far from a world where people will be sitting in their back seats and letting their cars take them to the next destination. Google’s autonomous driving tech, for example, uses data from the car’s lidar, radar, high-resolution cameras, GPS, and cloud services to produce various control signals that operate the vehicle autonomously. Although it might take a little bit longer to see self-driving cars in the Philippines, it is something to look forward to in the coming decades.

Optimising manufacturing processes

AI is changing how vehicles are manufactured. Automakers have already started using AI-powered robots in production lines that either work independently or together with humans to improve efficiency and create better quality vehicles. The robots use AI to determine what the human workers are doing, then adjust their movements to avoid injuring them or interfering with their work. AI-powered painting and welding robots are also taking over in manufacturing plants due to their ability to do a better job in a much faster time than humans. Automated Guided Vehicles can also be found in many manufacturing plants moving heavy items around facilities without human intervention. As manufacturers continue to deploy AI technology in their facilities, the result will be vehicles with superior quality and reliability ratings. Also, since AI detects defects a lot more accurately than humans, vehicles leaving production lines will be safer and more dependable.

Improving traffic management in cities

The Philippines is no stranger to traffic woes. With its congestion level reaching a whopping 71 percent, Metro Manila has the second-worst traffic in the world, according to the 2019 TomTom Traffic Index. While this is largely as a result of insufficient infrastructure in the city, part of the problem can also be attributed to poor traffic management. This is where AI comes in; AI-powered traffic management systems like Siemens Mobility can be used together with traffic cameras and traffic lights to reduce road congestions. The system monitors traffic cameras and alters the traffic lights appropriately based on real-time congestion data.

A major shift is happening in the automotive industry and AI is at the heart of it. With more collaboration between tech companies, government, and the general public, we can look forward to a world with better quality vehicles and safer roads.