Robotics are becoming increasingly integrated into all main aspects of driving and the automotive sector as a whole. Safety, practicality, and manufacturing are some of the main areas where robotics is concerned with advancing experiences and processes, bringing about features including automatic braking, driver assistance and facial recognition, and streamlined production lines. IDTechEx's portfolio of Robotics & Autonomy Research Reports dives into the latest developments and forecasts covering the next ten to twenty years.
Safety in radar and Level 2+
On a vehicle's exterior, autonomy is implemented in the form of radar technology, designed to keep the car aware of surrounding environments and potential dangers. This may reduce the risk of collision and take some of the weight from the responsibility of the driver's senses alone. Front and side radars have individual responsibilities which overlap for certain features, including pedestrian automatic emergency braking (AEB), one of the features of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Blind spot detection is another major feature of ADAS, enabled by side radars, used for lane change assist and to ensure there is space around the vehicle to manoeuvre with no risk of collision. Reversing out of parking spaces creates more responsibility for side radars, where cross-traffic detection ensures no obstructions surround the vehicle in places where the driver doesn't have a clear view. Front radars, on the other hand, require long range and angular resolution, as opposed to the wide field of view needed for side radars, to identify objects in front of the car when driving in the dark or in conditions where there is limited visibility. IDTechEx's report, "Automotive Radar Market 2025-2045: Robotaxis & Autonomous Cars", presents IDTechEx's latest research into radar technology, and how it is advancing autonomous systems within vehicles for enhanced safety.
ADAS is also capable of adaptive cruise control, where the vehicle uses its sensors, compute, and software to adjust speed without the driver's input. Levels of autonomy are also gradually increasing, with Level 2+ seeing drivers able to remove their hands from the wheel while keeping their eyes on the road. Level 2+ also includes features such as Highway navigate on Pilot and City navigate on Pilot, with the market for its extensive features predicted to reach US$17.98 billion by 2045. IDTechEx's reports, "Passenger Car ADAS Market 2025-2045: Technology, Market Analysis, and Forecasts" and "Autonomous Driving Software and AI in Automotive 2026-2046: Technologies, Markets, Players", cover the many features of ADAS and the way advanced software is revolutionizing vehicle experience.
In-cabin sensing and passenger protection
Inside the vehicle, multiple software functions are at play to ensure all aspects of safe driving are covered. In-cabin sensing allows for the vehicle to determine the driver's state and look out for any potential compromises to their alertness through the driver monitoring system (DMS). The Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) is one of the main regulations pushing for developments within in-cabin sensing technologies, with infrared technologies deployed in many new vehicles today to track gaze and eyelid movements of drivers. In-cabin sensing, however, is not solely concerned with the driver, but also encompasses occupant monitoring systems (OMS), which use radar for passenger detection and monitoring vital signs of occupants. IDTechEx's report, "In-Cabin Sensing 2025-2035: Technologies, Opportunities, and Markets", highlights how in-cabin sensing systems can automatically evaluate all passengers within the vehicle, for peace of mind on car journeys.
Robots in production lines
Behind the scenes, before vehicles even hit the road, robotics are increasingly being used in vehicle manufacturing production lines. Humanoid robots can be divided into industrial and non-industrial, with the former being heavier and requiring larger battery packs, and the latter having lower force requirements and being suited to lightweight applications. The automotive industry is expected to see the most adoption of humanoids due to their automation and large-scale production capabilities.
Collaborative robots (cobots), on the other hand, are designed to work alongside humans, with the ability to be programmed as desired and flexible in the tasks they carry out. Their machine vision and voice recognition make them ideal workers in automotive assembly lines, while also being low cost and generating a small footprint with low power consumption. IDTechEx's reports, "Humanoid Robots 2025-2035: Technologies, Markets and Opportunities" and "Collaborative Robots 2025-2045: Technologies, Players, and Markets", explore the potential for robotics to reshape production lines and assist humans in manufacturing environments, to increase efficiency through automation.
For more information, visit IDTechEx's portfolio of Robotics & Autonomy Research Reports for an extensive supply of the latest research and developments taking place within the sector, with a large focus on the role of robotics within automotives.
