Artificial intelligence: Bosch teaches cars how to learn and take appropriate action

Berlin – Bosch is creating the brain for the self-driving cars of the future. At the international Bosch ConnectedWorld 2017 conference in Berlin, the supplier of technology and services presented an onboard computer for automated vehicles. Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), the computer can apply machine learning methods. The AI onboard computer is expected to guide self-driving cars through even complex traffic situations, or ones that are new to the car. “We are teaching the car how to maneuver through road traffic by itself,” said Dr. Volkmar Denner, chairman of the Bosch board of management, at the international industry conference on the internet of things. Cars already use Bosch sensors to monitor their surroundings. Using artificial intelligence, it will also be able to interpret those readings to make predictions about the behavior of other road users. “Automated driving makes roads safer, and artificial intelligence is the key to making that happen. We are making the car smart,” continued the Bosch CEO. For building the core onboard computer, Bosch plans to collaborate with U.S. technology company Nvidia. Nvidia will supply Bosch with a chip that stores algorithms, generated with machine learning methods. The AI onboard computer is expected to go into production by the beginning of the next decade at the latest.

Driverless cars to be part of everyday life in the next decade

Bosch’s AI onboard computer can recognize pedestrians or cyclists. Besides this ability, known as object recognition, artificial intelligence also makes it easier for automated vehicles to assess a situation. For instance, cars that have their turn signals on are more likely to change lanes than those that do not. As a result, a self-driving car with AI can recognize and assess complex traffic situations, such as when an oncoming vehicle executes a turn, and factor these into its own driving. The computer stores whatever it learns while driving in artificial neural networks. Experts review this knowledge in the lab for accuracy. Following further testing on the road, the artificially generated knowledge structures can be transmitted to any number of other AI onboard computers in an update. “We want automated driving to be possible in every situation. As early as the next decade, driverless cars will be also a part of everyday life. Bosch is advancing automated driving on all technological fronts. We aim to assume a leading role in the field of artificial intelligence, too,” said Denner. He went on to say that artificial intelligence would play a key role in all areas of business at Bosch, not just mobility: “Just ten years from now, it will be virtually impossible to conceive of a Bosch product that does not involve artificial intelligence in some way. The products will either have it or be created with its help.” At the beginning of this year, the company announced it was establishing a Center for Artificial Intelligence. Bosch is investing some 300 million euros in expanding its expertise in this area.

Secure data sharing and ownership over the internet

In his opening address at Bosch ConnectedWorld 2017 before an audience of some 2,700 attendees, Denner named further innovative technologies that will open up new areas of business for Bosch. Besides artificial intelligence and the cloud, one of these is “blockchain” technology. This allows consumers to securely share data online without involving a third party. They can conclude agreements and contracts online and securely transact payments, and the technology ensures the data is anonymized. A blockchain is based on a kind of decentralized database, which distributes information entered into it across thousands of computers. This makes it impossible to falsify the data, and consumers are less dependent on one single computing center.

Bosch and TÜV collaborate to fight odometer fraud

Denner highlighted one practical use for a blockchain with a live demonstration in cooperation with German certification authority TÜV Rheinland. It promises to put an end to the widespread practice of odometer fraud. In Germany alone, manipulated odometers in vehicles cause some six billion euros in damage. The idea is to combat this fraudulent practice with a digital logbook distributed across many computers. Cars regularly send their odometer readings to these computers via a simple connector. With a smartphone app, car owners can check the actual mileage at any time and compare it to the in-vehicle display. Should they wish to sell their car, they can have a certificate issued that attests to the accuracy of the car’s mileage. It is also possible to share this certificate over the internet; for example, on an online platform for selling cars.

Bosch is connecting the car with the repair shop

Artificial intelligence, the cloud, and blockchains – how are solutions with intelligently connected Bosch technology changing our day-to-day lives? Denner answers this question with an example: say a stone flies through the air and cracks the car’s side window. The repair shop receives an automatic notification via the cloud and can prepare to make the necessary repairs. Connected logistics and connected forklifts mean that the replacement part is ready and waiting when the customer arrives. Donning a pair of augmented reality glasses that display instructions, the mechanic can carry out the work much more easily and quickly than otherwise. The benefit for drivers is that they can get back in their car and drive off after just a brief wait, with no need to come back to pick it up the next day and no need for a costly alternative in the meantime.

Some 2,700 attendees and 130 speakers

Now in its fourth year, Bosch ConnectedWorld 2017 is taking place in Berlin from March 15 to 16. The industry event, held at STATION-Berlin, is one of the world’s largest conferences on the internet of things. Different areas of industry will present examples of the benefits connectivity will deliver. Some 2,700 developers, representatives of the business community, and journalists are attending the conference this year. Besides Bosch CEO Dr. Volkmar Denner, the list of around 130 speakers includes Timotheus Höttges (CEO of Deutsche Telekom), Edzard Overbeek (CEO of HERE), and Dr. Jen-Hsun Huang (CEO of Nvidia). At the event’s hackathon, around 500 programmers, start-up employees, and designers come together to share their experience and ideas about connected mobility, connected industry, and connected buildings. At the accompanying exhibition, visitors can experience innovative connectivity solutions presented by more than 80 exhibitors.

Related links:
Bosch Connected World 2017 website
Bosch IoT platform for internet opinion leaders: “Connected World“
Artificial intelligence: Bosch investments in early 2017
The IoT’s getting personal: for Bosch, intelligent assistants are the answer
Sensors, software, services: connectivity strategy at Bosch
Automated driving at Bosch
Connected and automated parking at Bosch
The Bosch connected repair shop
Study: what people expect from smart homes

Videos:
Opening Video Bosch press conference at CES 2017
Bosch at CES 2017 - Connected Mobility
Turning things into partners