Imagine driving your car on a long journey, with your beloved spouse next to you and small children behind you. It's scary to imagine how many situations on the road can be fatal for your family, but every minute you are accompanied not just by a car, but by a real angel with artificial intelligence and sensitive sensors! 

Modern cars become real interlocutors for drivers, offering a fundamentally new level of interaction. From simple music and climate control controls to navigation and safety assistance on the road, car assistants make driving easier, more convenient and more enjoyable. Cars equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) systems turn travel into a dialogue, allowing the driver to focus solely on driving the vehicle.

Conversational interfaces are changing the rules of the game

Automakers are increasingly integrating voice assistants based on machine learning technologies and deep neural networks. These systems understand natural language, respond to the driver's requests, and adapt to the behavior and preferences of each car owner. The driver no longer has to be distracted by buttons or touchscreens — communication becomes a natural process.

BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and many other automakers are actively developing voice command systems that support integration with Google, Apple and other technology giants. The Hey Mercedes system recognizes natural speech, suggests optimal routes, regulates the interior temperature and ensures a comfortable ride even in difficult road conditions.

Tesla remains one of the key companies in the development of car assistants, despite the limited functionality of its own voice assistant Grok. While it does not control autonomous driving functions, it helps the driver navigate in space, receive information about the weather and road conditions.

From surveillance to symbiosis: How interior cameras are changing driving

Initially, systems like Affectiva tracked only basic indicators — blinking, yawning, or distraction from the road. Today, neural networks analyze:

• Facial micromimics for stress recognition (for example, Toyota Yui adjusts lighting and music when an alarm is detected);

• Voice patterns — BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant distinguishes irritated tone and simplifies navigation without unnecessary questions;

• Contextual scenarios — if the driver turns around to a crying child, the AI can activate the emergency lights and slow down the car.

However, cameras cause privacy disputes. The solution is local data processing without sending to the cloud, as in Smart Eye systems.

Beyond Safety: AI as an Atmosphere Creator

Modern assistants are moving from functional to emotional intelligence:

• Personalization

— Tesla analyzes the history of trips to offer cafes on familiar routes;

— Hyundai uses biometric data to automatically warm up the seats when the passenger chills. The company has relied on its own "Pleos" system based on virtual vehicle counterparts. Using sensors and deep learning algorithms, the car receives up-to-date data on the condition of the engine, brakes and other important components, timely notifying the driver of the need for maintenance or repair.

• Entertainment

— In Mercedes-Benz, experimental GPT-4-based systems generate stories for children as they drive.

Ford and Honda are also experimenting with new features, creating convenient conditions for integrating voice assistants with autonomous driving systems. In the future, drivers will be able to make work calls or check emails right in the car, entrusting control to a computer.

The most advanced models are equipped with BMW's "Operating System X" system based on the Amazon Alexa architecture. It is able to analyze the condition of the road, warn of possible dangers and adapt to the driving style of a particular driver. In addition to the standard functions, the system can track the driver's mood and offer personalized recommendations.

By 2030, 44% of automakers will implement emotional AI, GlobalLogic predicts

Risks and limitations

Although the prospect of talking cars seems attractive, there are a number of risks and limitations. For example, automotive safety organizations note that although conversational interfaces reduce the burden on the driver's attention, complete trust in the car can lead to dangerous situations. Some experts express concerns that the driver will start relying on autopilot assistance more than he should.

The future begins today

The integration of artificial intelligence technologies into vehicles is changing the way we think about driving. Already today, we can communicate with a car as if it were an interlocutor who understands our speech and intentions. Despite the existing risks and technical difficulties, the development of conversational cars opens up new horizons for convenience, comfort and safety on the roads.

Scenarios for the next 5 years:

• Proactive care

— The car will book a service if the driver is tired (ZF TempAI is already testing prototypes);

— Sensors will monitor blood sugar levels through the steering wheel skin.

• Ethics and regulation

— The EU is preparing the ISO/SAE 21434 standard for driver data protection;

— In Russia, similar developments are being conducted by NTI Avtonet based on smartphone ADAS systems.

Concerns: The risk of hyperpersonalization — for example, insurance companies may require access to stress data

Communicating with a car is no longer science fiction — it is becoming an everyday reality. The car is no longer just a means of transportation, but a real assistant and companion, making every trip unique and enjoyable.