Caffeine ready to collect as the car decides to pull over to charge could become the normality of the future, as software-defined vehicle technology and the presence of AI within vehicles advances. IDTechEx’s portfolios of Robotics & Autonomy and Semiconductors, Computing & AI research reports cover passenger safety and increased comfort, while the research onElectric Vehicles explores some of the main drivers for electrification within the automotive sector.
AI-assistants on the move
Making the call to order a coffee on-the-go could be the new normal for vehicles fitted with in-cabin sensing features and artificial intelligence systems. At the first signs of fatigue in the driver, an AI-assistant could place an energizing drink order at the nearest service station.
Driving to the office won’t have to be so lonely either, as chatting to the vehicle on the move will be possible with natural language communication and enhanced understanding. The incorporation of large language models within vehicles will allow for seamless, humanlike interactions between the driver and their car, without the requirement for keyword usage or technical knowledge. Putting a face to the voice could also enhance the communication experience, as AI-assistants can be presented through a visual interface on the car’s central screen, appearing even as a talking dog or other unique characters.
AI is likely to see a huge uptake in newly manufactured vehicles, with access to cloud computing onboard the vehicle. IDTechEx’s report, “AI Chips for Data Centers and Cloud 2025-2035: Technologies, Market, Forecasts“, explores how personalization and convenience can be revolutionized with the integration of AI chips, to create more enjoyment and ease for journeys, whilst bringing about the concept of software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
Software-defined vehicles for comfort and convenience
Interconnectivity amongst cars on the road and between the car and its driver is completely reimagined with software-defined vehicles (SDVs). IDTechEx’s report, “Software-Defined Vehicles, Connected Cars, and AI in Cars 2026-2036: Markets, Trends, and Forecasts“, explores the way 5G connection and AI services can transform the experience of driving.
AI assistants will play a huge role within SDVs, communicating with the driver when the car requires a trip to the garage for servicing, and locating the nearest and most convenient spot on the go with high-speed 5G access. Vehicles will be able to access and download the latest over-the-air software updates so the car can be refreshed overnight and ready to go in the morning equipped with the latest features, apps, performance, and security. SDVs will therefore provide an ease of being maintained without the need for driver interference, making the process more reliable and on-time.
Whilst on the move, real-time maps, a feature of software-defined vehicles, could also increase the safety of driving by utilizing shared data from interconnected cars on the road. Cars can share detected collision or traffic information with other vehicles, bringing an extra layer of reassurance for passengers.
Biometric authentication for comfort and safety will be another main feature of SDVs. Face scanning technology could be responsible for creating individual profiles associated with seat positions, climate control preferences, and favorite radio stations. Movie recommendations could also be suggested while passengers wait for the car to recharge, while displays within the vehicle could change based on facial recognition, with screens lighting up in different colors based on individual settings. This integrated biometric system could also allow for access to bank details and email accounts, so the car could online shop and send emails with a simple instruction on behalf of the driver, like a real assistant.
Radar systems for safety and autonomy
The future of cars is looking more and more towards vehicle autonomy, and radar is the technology behind increasing levels of automation, allowing for greater reliance on the car. Robotaxis are one example of where autonomy is successfully heading. With Level 4 autonomy implemented in robotaxis, passengers are not required to interfere with driving processes and are able to sit back and let the vehicle do all the work for a streamlined and relaxing travel experience.
First used for adaptive cruise control, radar technology today enables advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which encompasses automatic emergency braking (AEB) and blind spot detection, at the very least. Radars themselves are made up of the radome, antenna array, shielding, radar circuit board, and housing, with this tech expected to make performance developments for better imaging as the demand for safety increases in line with desires for increased automation.
Alongside blind spot detection, lane change assist, cross-traffic detection, and junction pedestrian AEB are all features enabled by side radars – a system equipped with between two and six mostly short-range radars, to detect proximity. The vehicle’s front radars, however, require long-range capabilities and angular resolution in order to detect objects or pedestrians in the oncoming path, and assist with enabling adaptive cruise control and AEB. IDTechEx’s report, “Automotive Radar Market 2025-2045: Robotaxis & Autonomous Cars” explores the main features and requirements of radar technology which will continue to increase the likelihood of higher levels of automation in the future.
Preventing tiredness escalation with DMS and OMS
Inside the vehicle, the car’s driver monitoring system (DMS) will be responsible for communicating the first signs of tiredness to the wider systems within the car, so the coffee can be ordered promptly. The DMS is made up of multiple systems and could one day see not only capacitive or torque steering wheel sensors to detect hands on the wheel, but ECG sensors to monitor heart rate. The occupant monitoring systems (OMS) will also be responsible for monitoring the heart and respiration rates of other passengers using time of flight (ToF) cameras, while radar technology could be employed to ensure no children are left in the car.
ToF cameras could also come in handy for increased awareness of gestures and fatigue detection in the driver, and work alongside RGB cameras used for gaze and head movement tracking and eyelid activity to check for any signs of tiredness or distraction. Microphones and camera systems could also one day be used to analyze movements and behaviors, so the vehicle is equipped to make safety decisions with as much context as possible. IDTechEx’s report, “In-Cabin Sensing 2025-2035: Technologies, Opportunities, and Markets” covers the different technologies that makeup the DMS and OMS, demonstrating how the future of driving is heading towards making journeys as safe and welfare oriented as possible.
A note on sustainability and electrification
With vehicles of the future becoming increasingly hyped for their developing software features and AI access, the importance of electrification for many car companies won’t be overlooked. Decarbonization and sustainability efforts will ensure vehicles can remain as carbon neutral as possible, in order for OEMs to achieve climate targets, and for cities for be cleaner. IDTechEx’s report, “Electric Vehicles: Land, Sea, and Air 2025-2045” discusses some of the current and future environmental regulations expected to shape the future of the automotive industry.
For more information on the broad array of developments within the automotive sector and beyond, from software-defined vehicles and AI assistants, to radar and driver monitoring systems, visit IDTechEx’s portfolio of Robotics & Autonomy, Semiconductors, Computing & AI, and Electric Vehicles research reports and subscriptions.
