New MG Astor SUV To Get Personal AI Assistant And Autonomous Level 2 Technology

MG Motor India has unveiled the industry-first personal AI assistant and segment-first Autonomous Level 2 technology, which will be featured on its upcoming Astor compact SUV. The company aims to amplify its auto-tech focus by building on the concept of Car-as-a-Platform (CAAP) software that was recently introduced. MG's upcoming compact SUV will bring an AI-enabled era to cars in India, and the company will extend the technology to its future models. MG says the introduction of a personal AI assistant is exclusively to cater to the needs of Indian buyers. And no other car in the global portfolio has a personal AI assistant yet.

Also Read: MG Astor Snapped Testing With AI Inside Camouflage Ahead Of Unveil

The MG Astor compact SUV will be India's first car with AI Assistant Tech

The personal AI assistant to be incorporated on the upcoming MG Astor is designed by an American company - ‘Star Design'. The company says personal AI Tech depicts human-like emotions and voices and even gives detailed information on every topic via Wikipedia. Powered by i-Smart Hub, the AI Tech will engage with people in the car. It's a platform on which the partnerships, services, and subscriptions of CAAP will reside, and allowing customers to personalize their set of services.

The Chinese-owned British carmaker is working on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enable the development and application of services and subscriptions to support the ‘on-demand in-car' needs of the customers. 

MG partnered with Star Design in the US for the design of the new Astor AI personal assistant.

Speaking about India's first personal AI assistant and the first-in-segment Autonomous Level 2 car Astor, Mr. Rajeev Chaba, President and MD, MG Motor India, said, "As an auto-tech brand, we've always introduced breakthrough technologies and now, we are moving forward with Artificial Intelligence. Astor is a step further and a catalyst for disruption with first-in-the-industry and best-in-class features that customers only get in premium/luxury segments. With a relentless pursuit of innovations and software at the heart of the production, our vehicles will continue to provide a smarter and safer driving experience by leveraging AI."

MG recently showcased CAAP with endless possibilities. Building an ecosystem of various in-car services, it hosts subscriptions and services, including maps and navigation with MapMyIndia, Jio connectivity, the first-of-its-kind Blockchain-protected vehicle digital passport by KoineArth and more. MG car owners will also get access to music on the JioSaavn app along with the industry-first feature of reserving a parking slot through a head unit (powered by Park+ - select cities to begin with) in the car. CAAP will create various possibilities which will evolve with time, creating safer and smarter driving experiences.

The upcoming MG Astor SUV will get First-in-Segment Autonomous Level 2 Technology.

The upcoming Astor SUV with AI Inside will be the fourth product from the brand in India that is expected to be revealed in the coming months. The name Astor is derived from Raytheon Sentinel, a Bombardier Global Express modified for the Royal Air Force, UK. The SUV will get integrated with AI personal assistant and Level 2 Autonomous Technology. The Autonomous Level 2 MG Astor is powered by mid-range radars and a multi-purpose camera that can realize a series of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). It includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, Intelligent Headlamp Control (IHC), Rear Drive Assist (RDA) and Speed Assist System amongst others. These functions can significantly improve driving safety and comfort, and they have been further optimized for Indian traffic conditions. 

Also Read: MG Astor Tech Reveal On August 18​

The new MG Astor SUV will come with an updated i-Smart hub infotainment system

The Astor will be a petrol-powered derivative of the MG ZS EV that is likely to get a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid 141 bhp petrol engine. The motor is likely to be paired with a 6-speed manual and a CVT automatic. As for features, the SUV will come equipped with LED headlamps with LED DRLs, dual-tone alloy wheels, LED tail lamps and a roof-mounted spoiler. The cabin is expected to remain identical to the ZS EV. We might get to see Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a digital console with i-Smart connect, and a sunroof on the SUV.