AI’s Next Target
Artificial intelligence (AI), which has entered home with speakers equipped with voice-recognition engine assistant, is now aiming at automobile as the next target. Accordingly, an increasing number of information and communication technology (ICT) companies, which develop AI engines, are joining hands with automakers.
According to industry sources on July 6, Line Corporation, a Japanese subsidiary of the South Korean internet search giant Naver Corporation, will unveil automotive services that feature its AI engine “Clova” next year through the partnership with Toyota Motor. Moreover, the company will jointly develop “smart device link,” a system that connects monitors, microphones and speakers at cars with smartphones, with Toyota.
Kakao is also making an every effort to develop AI services. The company is currently developing a system that allows users to use its navigation app “Kakao Navi” with voice command. An official from Kakao said, “We are considering whether to expand AI services through the partnership with a particular automaker or create a separate device and install it in all cars.”
KT has decided to join hands with U.S.-based electric car developer Tesla, attracting attention. The company will install its 5G network in Tesla’s electric vehicles at first. However, it is planning to develop a service that enables to play music and search customized information with voice command while driving through its AI engine “Giga Genie.”
Samsung Electronics, which plans to release AI speakers as early as early next year, is also making a bold move. As the company acquired Harman Kardon, which manufactures car electronics equipment, last year, it is expected to provide any kind of forms of voice services to cars with its AI engine “Bixby”.
IT firms, which has focused on developing home AI speakers so far, are turning their eyes to cars because a voice command feature will be more useful at cars.
Global IT companies have already joined hands with automakers to develop AI services. Amazon, which ranks top in the home AI speaker market, has worked together with Ford to develop a technology that can drive cars with voice command Google and Apple are planning to use the AI technology in their self-developed autonomous vehicle.