AI predicts the future of cars

2023 was the year Artificial Intelligence (AI) truly exploded. It’s a
buzzword that we can’t seem to escape from right now. Love it or hate it,
it’s here to stay.

In fact, AI contributed £3.7 billion to the economy in 2022.

It’s already proven to increase efficiency and lower costs across various
sectors and organisations, but how good is its knowledge of cars?

Does it know its Audi A1 from its A3, and can it accurately predict what the
future of cars looks like?

cinch, the faff-free way to buy a car online, puts one of the most
well-known generative AI platforms – ChatGPT – to the test by pitting it
against its resident motoring expert, Sam Sheehan.

Let’s see how aligned they are on five pressing questions…

1. What will the car of the future look like?

SAM: With no bulky engines under the bonnet and batteries located low in
their floors, cars of the future will be more aerodynamically optimised. As
electric components (such as batteries and motors) become more compact,
design freedom will grow, allowing cars to sport complex aerodynamics such
as intakes and ducts. This will help them slice through the air to improve
their efficiency and battery range.

At the same time, city-focused cars can be space-optimised, with boxier
designs that prioritise cabin practicality.

ChatGPT: Cars of the future will showcase several common design features.
Expect streamlined and aerodynamic shapes, enhancing energy efficiency for
electric vehicles. LED lighting and dynamic displays will provide innovative
lighting solutions while adding to the vehicle’s aesthetic. Sustainable
materials and eco-friendly interiors will reflect the growing emphasis on
environmental consciousness.

Driver and passenger comfort will take centre stage with spacious and
adaptable interiors, accommodating various needs. Autonomous capabilities
will influence interior layouts, allowing seats to be reconfigured for
relaxation or work. Connectivity and infotainment systems will offer
seamless integration with personal devices and smart city infrastructure.

2. What range can an electric car owner expect by 2030?

SAM: This depends on whether engineers and scientists crack the big mission
for the decade: the mass-market move from internal combustion engines to
electric. Solid-state batteries are predicted to more than double current
battery performance, so if they’re brought to market in time, with their
denser batteries, we could routinely be given 800-mile-capable cars before
the end of this decade.

Even if solid-state technology isn’t market-ready by 2030, we’ll still
likely see big gains in range. The best cars of today offer more than 400
miles; by 2030, that number should be common.

ChatGPT: By 2030, electric car owners can expect significant advancements in
battery technology, resulting in longer ranges than what is currently
available. On average, electric vehicles (EVs) are likely to offer a range
of around 300 to 400 miles per charge, or even more in some cases.

With ongoing improvements in charging infrastructure, faster charging speeds
will also become commonplace, making long-distance travel more convenient.
Moreover, increased investments and government incentives towards EV
adoption will likely drive innovations, making electric cars a more viable
and attractive option for UK drivers.

By 2030, owning an electric car will offer improved range and charging
capabilities, fostering a greener and more sustainable future for
transportation in the UK.

3. Will cars ever become truly autonomous?

SAM: Given that many cars can already take most of the work out of motorway
driving, we’re only a handful of years away from them being fully autonomous
in certain scenarios. Thanks to slow progress in road infrastructure
development and challenges related to driving laws, however, we’re probably
more like two decades away from fully autonomous cars that can handle urban
roads as well.

The biggest leap in progress will come when satellite accuracy gets to
near-pinpoint precision­. Using satellite location tech and various cameras
on the cars themselves, vehicles could be capable of full autonomy well
before 2040.

ChatGPT: Yes, cars are on the path to becoming truly autonomous. Significant
progress has already been made, and technology continues to advance rapidly.
While full autonomy may not be immediately widespread, it is a feasible goal
for the future. Leading companies and researchers are actively working on
self-driving technology, refining algorithms, and improving sensor systems
to enhance safety and reliability.

However, achieving full autonomy requires overcoming technical challenges,
regulatory approvals, and public acceptance. Nonetheless, as technology
matures, we can expect to see increasingly autonomous features in vehicles,
enhancing convenience and safety on the roads. The UK, like many other
countries, remains committed to exploring and adopting autonomous driving
solutions as they evolve and demonstrate their potential benefits.

4. What will car entertainment look like in the future?

SAM: Infotainment systems will evolve in tandem with smartphones and tablets
via partnerships between carmakers and technology companies, allowing for
augmented reality displays and increasing customisation.

However, the biggest step-change in car entertainment will come when cars
can drive themselves, because this will enable manufacturers to use the
windscreen as an augmented reality screen. Projecting illustrations – or
even video – onto the inside of the windscreen, it’ll turn a car into a
rolling home cinema, or a rolling office.

ChatGPT: In the future, car entertainment will be a seamless and immersive
experience. With advancements in connectivity and in-car technology,
passengers can expect personalized content options, including streaming
services, interactive gaming, and augmented reality experiences. Smart
interfaces will enable voice commands and gesture controls, allowing drivers
to stay focused on the road while accessing entertainment features.

Moreover, autonomous driving capabilities will open up new possibilities for
entertainment, turning vehicles into mobile relaxation spaces or
workstations. As electric vehicles become more prevalent, energy-efficient
entertainment systems will further enhance the driving experience. Overall,
car entertainment in the future will be dynamic, engaging, and tailored to
individual preferences, transforming journeys into enjoyable and productive
experiences for passengers in the UK.

5. How could car safety advance in the future?

SAM: As previously-exotic materials become cheaper and easier to mass
produce, and as airbags and other active safety systems become faster and
more effective, injuries in car crashes could, theoretically, become a thing
of the past. But the biggest improvements for car safety will likely be
preventative, as we’re already seeing today with automatic emergency braking
systems and steering assistance tech.

Cars will be tougher but they’ll be smarter first, working not only to avoid
potential incidents but also preventing them from being possible in the
first place, using car-to-car communication.

ChatGPT: Car safety is poised for significant advancements in the future.
With the integration of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and
artificial intelligence, vehicles will become more proactive in preventing
accidents.

Sensors and cameras will continuously monitor surroundings, detecting
potential hazards and automatically applying brakes or adjusting speeds to
avoid collisions. Moreover, vehicle-to-vehicle communication will enhance
safety by allowing cars to share real-time data, such as location and speed,
to prevent crashes and improve traffic flow.

Additionally, innovations like biometric monitoring may help combat driver
fatigue and distraction. The UK’s commitment to investing in research and
regulations will further drive these advancements, ultimately creating safer
roads and reducing the number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

The future of cars is looking bright

Sam and ChatGPT appear to be pretty aligned on many of the topics! Not only
do they both predict that cars will become a lot more aerodynamic and
immersive, but they also forecast that advanced safety will be a key
development as the industry moves forward.

We hope their predictions are spot on, but we won’t know for a while yet.
Only time will tell…

About cinch

cinch takes the faff out of finding and buying a used car that’s right for
you. You can browse thousands of cars in our range – we’ve quality-checked
each and every one – or try our Help Me Choose tool and narrow the search to
the things that matter most to you. Once you’ve bought your car with us
online, we’ll deliver it to your door. You even get a 14-day money-back
guarantee should you change your mind.

cinch is backed by the Constellation Automotive Group, the UK and Europe’s
largest market-leading integrated digital car marketplace. The Group
operates some of the most well-known brands in the automotive industry
including WeBuyAnyCar, BCA, cinch, Marshall Motor Group and CarNext, who
together employ over 16,000 people across 12 countries and provide services
that involve over 11 million different vehicles each year.