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Jaguar Land Rover's robot Jeeves
Smart Assistant concept to be integrated in future JLR modelsJaguar Land Rover has announced a new facility that is a car-based concierge, navigator and PA all rolled into one.
The 'Smart Assistant' is at the concept stage for the moment, but is being heavily promoted by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and looks likely to trickle down into new products as they reach the market. There's no word on when we can expect to see it in a production car, but the Jaguar XE, which we'll see here around the middle of next year, looks like a strong prospect as the vanguard for the new technology.
Smart Assistant, which learns from your lifestyle and detects you by the presence of your mobile phone, can adjust seats, mirrors, entertainment and the cabin temperature to suit your personal preferences. But in a nod to our family obligations, it will probably pump the latest from Justice Crew or Iggy Azalea through the audio system until you've dropped off number one son/daughter at school. After that it's all plain sailing with AC/DC pounding through the speakers...
According to the manufacturer, the Smart Assistant will be able to log into your calendar via the smartphone you carry and remind you to pack equipment you need for regular appointments, and it will notify meeting organisers that you're running late if held up in traffic.
Through Smart Assistant, the car will learn about the regular appointments in your life – work, dropping the kids at school, shopping and social visits. If you happen to attend a gym regularly, the car can set the cabin temperature warmer on the way to the gym, cooler on the way home.
Smart Assistant is a feature that builds on existing ideas like streaming audio for Bluetooth-equipped cars, and will complement autonomous driving when that becomes a practical reality over the next few years.
"The aim of our self-learning technology is to minimise driver distraction, which will help reduce the risk of accidents," said Dr Wolfgang Epple, Director of Research and Technology for JLR.
"Presenting the driver with information just at the right time whilst driving will reduce both cognitive distraction and the need for the driver to look away from the road to scroll through phone lists, or adjust mirrors, temperature or seat functions while on the road.
"Up until now most self-learning car research has only focused on traffic or navigation prediction. We want to take this a significant step further and our new learning algorithm means information learnt about you will deliver a completely personalised driving experience and enhance driving pleasure."
The whole system is linked to the car's satellite navigation and relies on live traffic updates to determine ETA. And Active Cruise Control will apply lessons learned from Smart Assistant to accelerate or maintain braking distance in the owner's preferred driving style. Dr Epple, as quoted in the JLR press release, observed that Smart Assistant's operation of the Adaptive Cruise Control is an enhancement in the making for the autonomous driving future that lies ahead.
"By developing a learning function for Adaptive Cruise Control, it is technology concepts like the self-learning car that will ensure any future intelligent car remains fun and rewarding to drive as we move closer to more autonomous driving over the next 10 years.
"This is important because in the future customers will still want an emotional connection and a thrilling drive – with the ability to drive autonomously when required."
So while the new system may end up abbreviated as 'Smart Ass', it doesn't seem like it will give you a bum steer.
Features of the Smart Assistant include:
Vehicle Personalisation
Destination Prediction
Fuel Assist
Predictive Phone Call
Passenger Awareness
Intelligent Notifications
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Written byKen Gratton
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
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