The automotive industry is increasingly using artificial intelligence to enhance various aspects of vehicle design, production and user experience. AI technologies are proving essential in streamlining processes, improving safety and enabling new business models, ultimately shaping the future of mobility.
One of the most significant applications of AI in automotive design is in simulation processes. Traditionally, simulations can take days to complete, but AI-driven tools are reducing this time to mere minutes. This acceleration allows automakers to evaluate new designs much more efficiently, leading to faster iterations and a shortened time-to-market for new vehicles. For instance, companies are now able to explore a wider range of design possibilities, which can result in more innovative and competitive vehicle offerings.
The shift from distributed electronic control units (ECUs) to centralized high-performance computing systems is another trend being driven by AI. This transition is crucial for managing the increasing complexity of software functions, including advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and over-the-air updates. Centralized computing enables better integration of these functions, which is essential for enhancing vehicle performance and safety. Moreover, it supports the development of new business models, such as subscription services for software features and updates.
Safety remains a primary focus in the automotive sector, and AI is playing a key role in this area. AI technologies facilitate the development of safety systems in ADAS by providing fast and accurate simulations of real-world scenarios. These simulations are vital for ensuring that vehicles meet stringent safety regulations and for validating cybersecurity measures in connected vehicles. By enhancing safety features, AI contributes to building consumer trust and compliance with regulatory standards.
Despite the benefits, the implementation of AI in the automotive sector faces challenges, particularly in data management. Automakers must handle vast amounts of data for simulations and predictive analytics. AI tools are being designed to require fewer simulations while still delivering accurate results, thus reducing computational overhead and enabling quicker deployment.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, AI is paving the way for innovative design concepts, such as autonomous vehicle interiors that prioritize user comfort and infotainment. This transformative potential of AI in mobility is underscored in our conversation with Mazen El Hout, senior product marketing manager at Ansys, where we explore how the company integrates AI technologies into automotive solutions and the implications for the future of mobility.
Key takeaways:
- Faster simulations: Ansys's SimAI software reduces simulation times from days to minutes, allowing automakers to evaluate new designs much more quickly. This accelerates the design process and shortens the time it takes to bring new vehicles to market.
- Centralized computing: The automotive industry is shifting from distributed ECUs to centralized high-performance computing systems. This change helps manage the growing complexity of software functions like ADAS and over-the-air updates. Simulation platforms will be key in ensuring reliable software updates and enabling new business models.
- Safety and compliance: Ansys supports the development of safety systems in ADAS by providing fast and accurate simulations of real-world scenarios. This helps ensure that vehicles meet safety regulations and validates cybersecurity measures for connected vehicles.
- New design opportunities: AI is enabling automakers to explore innovative design concepts, such as autonomous vehicle interiors that prioritize comfort and infotainment. Additionally, improved computational efficiency allows for research into specific areas like aerodynamics for electric vehicles.
The following is an edited transcript of the conversation.
S&P Global Mobility: How is Ansys currently integrating AI technologies into automotive solutions, and what specific areas are showing significant measurable improvements in efficiency, performance and customer interactions?
Mazen El Hout: Ansys integrates AI through its SimAI software, enabling rapid simulation for automotive design. This reduces the time for simulations from days to minutes, streamlining resource-intensive processes. SimAI's ability to create surrogate models from historic simulation data allows automakers to evaluate new designs 10 to 100 times faster, facilitating broader design exploration. For example, Renault has utilized SimAI to significantly reduce the time to market while improving design possibilities. This AI-driven approach enhances efficiency and performance in all design phases, making it a game changer in the automotive simulation domain.
What emerging AI technologies or trends do you foresee shaping the future of the automotive industry, and how is your company preparing to address these changes while enhancing user experience?
Vehicles, which today are controlled by distributed electronic control units, are increasingly moving to centralised high-performance computing. This architecture is the key to integrating the growing number of software functions — from ADAS to over-the-air updates — efficiently and securely.
But the key question for the next few years will be: How do we manage this complexity? I expect simulation and test platforms to play a crucial role, especially in verifying software updates for older vehicle models. Companies that use digital twins and accurate simulation will be able to deliver reliable updates even years after production. This shift will not only create new business models, such as subscription-based features, but also pave the way for increasingly autonomous vehicles. The move to software-defined architectures is no longer a futuristic topic - it is a reality and will transform the entire industry in the coming years.
What role does Ansys play in integrating AI for safety systems, particularly in ADAS and cybersecurity measures for connected vehicles, and how do these innovations contribute to regulatory compliance?
Ansys supports safety system development in ADAS by enabling fast and accurate simulations of real-world scenarios. SimAI accelerates the testing of autonomous systems, ensuring vehicles meet stringent safety regulations. Its ability to model diverse vehicle behaviours also aids in validating cybersecurity measures for connected vehicles. These innovations help manufacturers achieve compliance with regulatory standards while enhancing safety and reliability in increasingly connected and autonomous automotive environments.
What primary challenges do you face in implementing AI solutions within the automotive sector, especially regarding data management and analysis, and how are you addressing these?
One challenge is managing the extensive data required for simulation models. Ansys addresses this by designing SimAI to require fewer simulations — starting from 30 closely related datasets for specific applications — while still delivering accurate predictions. This reduces computational overhead and enables quicker deployment. By offering a SaaS model, Ansys simplifies integration and reduces infrastructure demands, overcoming barriers to entry for AI adoption in the automotive sector.
Have any unexpected use cases for AI emerged recently?
AI has unlocked potential in reshaping simulation workflows. For instance, automakers are now using SimAI not only to refine existing designs but also to explore radically new concepts, such as autonomous vehicle interiors prioritizing comfort and infotainment over traditional driving aesthetics. Additionally, surplus computing and simulation capacity from AI efficiencies is enabling exploration of niche topics like enhanced aerodynamics for electric vehicles, driving further innovation across the industry.
