The Evolution of Automotive Technology and Its Impact on Industries
Recently, news about BMW's plan to incorporate a personal voice assistant into their vehicles by 2019 sparked some curiosity. However, this development is more reflective of an industry shift rather than being a piece of news inline with typical 'breaking' stories. As an SEO professional, I find this trend significant for a few reasons, primarily because it signifies the convergence of technology and the automotive industry.
Integration of Voice Assistants in Cars
BMW's decision to equip their cars with a personal voice assistant is just one piece of a larger trend where traditional car manufacturers are increasingly turning to technology companies for assistance. In fact, Mercedes-Benz has already partnered with SoundHound to incorporate such technology. This move signifies a broader shift in the industry, where voice assistants are becoming pervasive within vehicles, offering a central entry point for interaction rather than isolated functions.
Implications for Car Manufacturers and Tech Companies
Traditionally, car manufacturers are not known for their software development capabilities. Hence, they are outsourcing these technologies to specialized tech companies. This outsourcing trend heralds a significant shift towards the integration of tech companies and car manufacturers. In the near future, we may see mergers or even buyouts of car manufacturers by tech companies. There are a few potential scenarios:
Mergers between car and tech companies: Initially, car manufacturers might attempt to buy tech companies, as seen with the increasing number of tech integrations in the automotive sector. Possibility of tech companies acquiring car manufacturers: In the long term, tech companies might buy out car manufacturers, perhaps for their patents and design capabilities. This could result in a market split, with a few tech companies dominating the design sector and a smaller number of manufacturers focusing on production.Impact on Manufacturing and Design
The integration of technology into car design is becoming increasingly significant. As car design becomes more reliant on automated software tools, the role of AI and machine learning (ML) in automotive design is poised to grow. This could eventually lead to software tools capable of designing cars independently, based on public preferences, manufacturing capabilities, and targeted costs. While this is a distant possibility, it highlights the ever-evolving relationship between technology and the automotive industry.
This development is not just impactful for the automotive industry but also for tech companies. As software capabilities grow, there is a potential shift in market dynamics, with tech companies possibly focusing on automotive design and leaving the manufacturing to specialized companies. The trend of tech companies acquiring car manufacturers for their patents and design capabilities is already emerging, which sits well with the idea of tech giants dominating the design space.
While BMW's plan to equip their cars with a personal voice assistant may not be a headline-grabbing news story, it is an interesting and thought-provoking development. It signifies the growing importance of technology in the automotive industry and hints at a future where tech and car manufacturers converge, leading to significant changes in how vehicles are designed and manufactured.