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.

Whether the average car accident lawyer will be out of a job remains to be seen. It’s not clear yet that AI can solve novel solutions presented on the road, or that it can eliminate liability of other parties.

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.