SAIC-Owned MG Motor India on Wednesday unveiled the personal AI assistant and autonomous Level-2 technology that will be featured in their upcoming mid-size SUV – Astor.
MG aims to further its auto-tech focus by building on the Car-as-a-Platform (CAAP) concept of possibilities and services. The company claims Astor is the first car to get a personal AI assistant in its global portfolio.
MG is working on emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enable the development and application of services and subscriptions to support the customers' 'on-demand in-car' needs.
The personal AI assistant is designed by the American firm 'Star Design.' It depicts human-like emotions & voices and can give detailed information on every topic through Wikipedia.
It will engage with people in the car and is powered by i-Smart Hub. It is a platform on which the partnerships, services, and subscriptions of CAAP will reside and allow customers to personalise their set of services.
Rajeev Chaba, President and MD, MG Motor India, said Astor is a step further and a catalyst for disruption with first-in-the-industry and best-in-class features that customers only get in premium/luxury segments. 'With a relentless pursuit of innovation and software at the heart of the production, our vehicles will continue to provide a smarter and safer driving experience by leveraging AI,' he added.
Mid-range radars and a multi-purpose camera power the autonomous Level-2 MG Astor to realise a series of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
These include Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, Intelligent Headlamp Control (IHC), Rear Drive Assist (RDA) and Speed Assist System amongst others.
These functions can significantly improve driving safety and comfort, and they have been further optimised for Indian traffic conditions.
The name Astor is derived from Raytheon Sentinel, an airborne battlefield and ground surveillance aircraft formerly operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF), UK.
MG Astor shares the popular ZS platform sold by MG across the globe in countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, Norway, Netherlands and other countries in Asia.
The carmaker recently showcased CAAP with endless possibilities. Building an ecosystem of various in-car services, it hosts subscriptions and services, including maps and navigation with MapmyIndia, Jio connectivity and the first-of-its-kind Blockchain-protected vehicle digital passport by KoineArth.
MG car owners will also get access to music on the JioSaavn app along with the industry-first feature of reserving a parking slot through a head unit (powered by Park+ in select cities, to begin with) in the car. In addition, CAAP will create various possibilities which will evolve with time, creating a safer and smarter driving experience.