2023 年，人工智慧成了最熱門的名詞，各行各業都在探索機器學習技術帶來的新奇應用。汽車產業也不甘示弱，很多車廠都已經在研發部門中引入 AI，開始探索人工智慧在車輛設計中的優勢。其中，豐田就宣布開始探索基於人工智慧的汽車設計，並透過豐田研究所（TRI）開發的生成式人工智慧技術來進行研究。
不過，別擔心，你買的下一輛 Tacoma 卡車，絕對不會是全然由人工智慧設計的外觀。相反地，豐田希望在早期設計階段使用這項技術，讓AI產生出多個方案，以供工程師參考討論，加速車輛研發的效率。舉例來說，如果豐田決定要開發一款新的大型雙門跑車，AI可以根據預設的參數，產生出多個早期設計方案。就像本文頂部的渲染圖一樣，它是由人工智慧創建的。
豐田研究所（TRI）人類互動駕駛（HID）部門主任 Avinash Balachandran 解釋說：“生成式 AI 工具通常用來激發設計師的靈感，但無法處理實際汽車設計中涉及的複雜工程和安全考量因素。這種技術結合了豐田傳統的工程優勢和現代生成式 AI的最新能力。”
豐田的新生成技術使用參數，例如阻力係數和底盤尺寸，如車身高度和車廂尺寸等等。這些參數透過文字提示提供給AI，設計師也可以加入特定的風格特徵，例如「流線型」和「現代化」等等。主要重點放在設計的空氣動力學方面，這對於車輛的能源效率非常重要。豐田表示，AI增強的早期設計過程可以幫助公司更快速、更有效地開發電動化車輛。
最近，寶馬也承認正在嘗試使用人工智慧創建汽車設計。他們還在實驗階段，但表示 AI 很快就可以應用在即將推出的生產車輛的各種設計任務上。不過，別擔心，在任何時候，寶馬都不會讓 AI 完全接管設計過程。
In 2023, artificial intelligence (AI) became the most popular buzzword, with various industries exploring the novel applications brought by machine learning technology. The automotive industry is no exception, with many car manufacturers already introducing AI into their research and development departments to explore the advantages of AI in vehicle design. Among them, Toyota has announced that it is starting to explore AI-based car design and is conducting research using generative AI technology developed by the Toyota Research Institute (TRI).
However, don't worry, your next Tacoma truck will definitely not have an appearance designed entirely by artificial intelligence. Instead, Toyota hopes to use this technology in the early stages of the design process to allow AI to generate multiple design options for engineers to reference and accelerate the efficiency of vehicle development. For example, if Toyota decides to develop a new large two-door sports car, AI can generate multiple early design options based on preset parameters. Just like the renderings at the top of this article, they were created by artificial intelligence.
Avinash Balachandran, Director of the Human Interaction and Driving (HID) Department at the Toyota Research Institute (TRI), explained: "Generative AI tools are usually used to inspire designers, but cannot handle the complex engineering and safety considerations involved in actual car design. This technology combines Toyota's traditional engineering advantages with the latest capabilities of modern generative AI."
Toyota's new generative technology uses parameters such as drag coefficient and chassis size, such as body height and cabin size. These parameters are provided to AI through text prompts, and designers can also add specific style features such as "streamlined" and "modern." The main focus is on the aerodynamics of the design, which is crucial for vehicle energy efficiency. Toyota said that the AI-enhanced early design process can help the company develop electric vehicles more quickly and effectively.
Recently, BMW also acknowledged that it is attempting to use AI to create car designs. They are still in the experimental stage, but said that AI can soon be applied to various design tasks for upcoming production vehicles. However, don't worry, at no point will BMW let AI completely take over the design process.
