Named after IBM Founder Thomas J. Watson, this supercomputer combines sophisticated analytical software and artificial intelligence (AI). Watson can process information at 80 teraflops per second, has 15 terabytes of RAM, and accesses 2,880 processor cores. The computer uses over 90 servers, accumulating to a whopping 200 million pages of information. All of these impressive stats create a cognitive computer network with the capability of replicating a human’s problem-solving ability.
IBM’s Watson will join forces with BMW to improve the intelligent assistant function for daily commuters. The BMW i8 hybrid will continually adapt to statistical changes, as well as “learn” about its driver’s habits, routines, and preferences. By tapping into Watson’s incredible processing power, the vehicle will be able to compute huge amounts of roadway-related data, assisting the driver throughout their entire commute.
“The car’s manual will be ingested into Watson so that drivers can ask questions about the vehicle in natural language while still being able to focus on the road,” according to IBM. “The aim is for the solution to also incorporate data from the Weather Company (an IBM business) as well as real-time, contextual updates about route, traffic, and vehicle status in order to enrich the driving experience and make recommendations to the driver.”
According to IBM research, cars are edging closer towards self-sufficiency. Vehicles may become self-healing, diagnosing and fixing its own mechanical problems and the issues of nearby connected cars. Self-driving technology will continue to expand from limited automation to fully autonomous systems. As seen with other smart devices, vehicles are now joining the ever-evolving Internet of Things (IoT), processing traffic, weather, and mobility events. IBM and BMW hope to contribute to this perpetual evolution of automotive technology.
Are you intrigued by this interesting partnership? If so, you can learn more by clicking on the video below.