Introduction
You are getting ready for a trip. You have everything planned; the hotel, excursions, museums, bars, but things can go south whenever, and there is nothing more annoying than last-minute repairs or vehicle breakdowns. Manufacturers recommend that you check your vehicle in an authorised repair shop. It is not only the expertise but also the technical skills and tools in their arsenal that make things a little safer. Speaking of tools, did you know that Artificial Intelligence (AI) actually has applications in vehicles?
Let it Roll
On Wheels
When you think about it, there are many different means of transportation out there: Cars, motorcycles, aircraft, trains, ships… Vehicles nowadays are equipped with a ‘brain’ and a whole bunch of electronic systems, and manufacturers program these systems to ensure performance without compromising safety while keeping prices at reasonable levels. As with all things, vehicles also need maintenance, and AI surely can help.
The electronics embedded in vehicles today collect data that are crucial to vehicle operation. Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, Deep Learning (DL) algorithms and especially AI can analyse the input data derived by the sensors to extract features from the battery, motor and all subsystems. It all depends on the specific task that we want to accomplish, based on which we build an algorithm – ML being the easiest and AI being the most complex yet most powerful ones for analysing big data sets. A leading car company known to have been using such technology developed by Bosch is everyone’s favourite Tesla (ADS X Bosch Diagnostics). The best part is that such systems can run on almost all mobile devices!
We are on Track
What was mentioned above does not apply only to private vehicles. Many countries in the world have vast railway networks. Now, remember that railways consist of two parts, so not only the trains but also the rails need to be in perfect shape. And it is essential! One tiny mistake or flaw, and things can get really ugly. How ugly? Let us just say that there are bullet trains that exceed the speed of 300 km/h! There are a few different ways to check for signs of wear.
One is to use special ‘maintenance trains’ used for data collection, which can be costly and resourceful. Of course, using the Internet of Things (IoT) and Edge Computing things can become much easier by having all tests run remotely, therefore eliminating the need for special infrastructure and reducing cost. Another way to do that is by utilising Computer Vision (CV). Trains equipped with cameras can take advantage of CV to identify even the smallest flaws on tracks and trains. This way, mechanics and technicians can be aware of even nearly invisible flaws, repairing only the parts that need to be fixed, reducing cost and decreasing repair time (Sonagra, 2023).
Sky-High
If this does not give you an idea of why vehicle maintenance is important, let’s see if talking about planes for a bit will give you a change of heart. Planes, the favourite and probably most exciting means of transportation for many need to reach a ground speed of 240 – 285 km/h to take off, almost the same speed a bullet catches. When flying, the speed can easily be 800 km/h at an altitude of around 4 km. You understand that flying is no joke, especially when it includes passengers.
Commercial flights include extensive documentation, especially when it comes to repairs, as no mistakes are allowed. The most important part of aircraft maintenance is not performance but hull integrity, and everything that has been mentioned so far can find application in aircraft too! CV, AI, DL… you name it! A sign of structural fatigue can affect not only the vessel but also the psychology of passengers before and during flight. An invisible flaw that is known by personnel but does not affect performance or safety is ok, but if it is evident and noticeable by passengers, it can prove to be a disaster for the trip, if not the carrier company!
Surely enough basic tools are necessary (you can’t place bolts using a tablet - joke) but modern technology is our ally to eliminate any risk. Examples of leading companies that have incorporated AI in their maintenance routine are Rolls Royce, Airbus, and United Airlines (Aviation Maintenance Magazine, 2023).
Jungle of Concrete
You must really like your home. Doesn’t everyone, after all? No matter where we go, no matter how beautiful the place is or how much fun we have, it is in our home where we can truly rest. That’s why we try to keep our space not only clean and in a way that expresses us but also in good condition. You know pretty well how expensive repairs can be, so maintenance is the best countermeasure to emptying your pockets due to damage that could easily be avoided. Now imagine this, but multiplied by the number of homes in your city! We are talking about millions of dollars easily.
Generative AI can be great for home maintenance. Using CV, a GPU-accelerated form of AI, specially trained algorithms could identify potential flaws that could result in hundreds of dollars of damage and help us prevent them. In case of peculiarities in a building or apartment, where even construction or renovation personnel are not sure what to do, Generative AI can provide the solution. By scanning the environment and using Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), or Extended Reality (XR), the slightest problem regarding structure and integrity, or even space arrangement, can be solved in real time right in front of your eyes.
Apart from that, do you realise how much time is wasted when professionals need to visit a space in person? XR makes professional collabs even easier. 3D models are the solution to synergetic tasks. Pair it with a Natural Language Processing (NLP) model with Generative AI and text-to-speech capabilities, and there you have it. Your personal Virtual Assistant for home maintenance (AR & VR)!
Surely enough, things are not limited to interior spaces. Drones have become increasingly accessible, and we bet some of you have already purchased one. In places where access is difficult, such as roofs, tall buildings, or even skyscrapers, CV-equipped cameras attached to drones could be a true blessing. This does not necessarily mean for the building itself but also for the people who work on it. At these heights that are beyond the eye’s reach, it is difficult to keep constant track of people’s safety. That belongs to the past with the power of CV! The following photo explains it on its own.
We fix People Here!
It is not only vehicles and homes that need to be maintained, but living beings as well. We make sure of that every day by living as best as we can, trying to balance our work hours with time for personal development or relaxation, eating healthy and exercising. However, things can happen, and there are times when we need to go to the doctor.
And yes, doctors are probably the most important part of the process of treating people, as a false treatment or diagnosis can be fatal; however, there are limits to what physicians can do without tools and equipment. It is true that medical equipment can cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, depending on the application, exclusivity, and specificity of the task. It makes sense that, as with everything, medical equipment is expensive not only because you need to buy it but also because you have to maintain it.
Fortunately, for technicians, maintenance and repair do not need to be hard. Using AI-powered software, experts can identify equipment malfunctions or potential threats remotely in real time and eliminate them before any damage is done. Moreover, thanks to the power of Edge Computing and the IoT, the physical presence of a technician might sometimes be obsolete (Savoie, 2024).
Summing Up
Although maintenance sounds like a boring topic, we think it is at least interesting. It might not be the best conversation starter; however, you get why it is important, and you see how AI can contribute significantly in this field, among others. Undoubtedly, the world would be much more difficult without the implementation of AI in different fields, including the maintenance of all kinds of systems. Considering the automation in our lives, including the extensive use of Virtual Assistants even for the simplest of tasks such as writing essays, sending emails, turning on and off the lights, and playing and pausing songs, wouldn’t you agree?
What We Offer
Innovation is what characterises us here at TechnoLynx. Delivering tech solutions is what we love and what we are good at. We are ready to take on any project, offering solutions custom-made to your needs. We are all about providing cutting-edge solutions for the maintenance of any field and ensuring safety in human-machine interactions at the same time.
We are proud to say that our software solutions are precise and specifically designed for your project. We enjoy empowering many fields and industries using AI-driven algorithms, innovating, and always adapting to the forever-changing AI landscape. It is our goal to provide you with solutions designed to increase accuracy, reduce costs, and optimise productivity.
Feel free to visit our contact us page to share your ideas or questions. We will be more than happy to hear what you have for us!
List of references
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ADS X. (no date). Bosch Diagnostics (Accessed: 23 July 2024).
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AR & VR. (no date). TrustMark (Accessed: 23 July 2024).
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Aviation Maintenance Leverages Artificial Intelligence to Make Flying Safer. (2023). Aviation Maintenance Magazine (Accessed: 23 July 2024).
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Berkmanas, R. (2024). 15 Use Cases Of Computer Vision In Construction Industry 2024. EasyFlow (Accessed: 23 July 2024).
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Doctor, T.M. (2020). How Can AI Assist Mechanics in Vehicle Maintenance. The Mechanic Doctor (Accessed: 23 July 2024).
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Freepik. (no date). Side view man with prosthesis working. AI-Generated.
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Savoie, L. (2024). The Future of Med Device Repair & Maintenance. Advantage Biomedical Services (Accessed: 23 July 2024).
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Sonagra, R. (2023). Using artificial intelligence to create a better railway. Network Rail (Accessed: 23 July 2024).
