The automotive sector is heading for radical operational efficiency as a range of top automakers rapidly integrate advanced robotics into their assembly lines. 

By 2030, at least one automaker will achieve fully automated vehicle assembly, marking a historic shift in the automotive sector, said Gartner, a business and technology insights company, in its new study. 

"The race toward full automation is accelerating, with nearly half of the world’s top automakers (12 out of 25) already piloting advanced robotics in their factories," remarked Marco Sandrone, VP Analyst at Gartner. 

"Automated vehicle assembly helps automakers reduce labor costs, improve quality, and shorten production cycle times. For consumers, this means better vehicles at potentially lower prices," he stated.

While it may reduce the direct need for human labor in vehicle assembly, new roles in AI oversight, robotics maintenance and software development could offset losses if reskilling programs are prioritized, he added.

Meanwhile, in a new report Gartner has predicted that only a handful of automakers will maintain strong AI investment growth, a decline from over 95% today.

"The automotive sector is currently experiencing a period of AI euphoria, where many companies want to achieve disruptive value even before building strong AI foundations," explained Pedro Pacheco, the VP Analyst at Gartner. 

"This euphoria will eventually turn into disappointment as these organizations are not able to achieve the ambitious goals they set for AI," he added.

Gartner predicts that only a handful of automotive companies will maintain ambitious AI initiatives after the next five years. 

Organizations with strong software foundations, tech-savvy leadership, and a consistent very long-term focus on AI will pull ahead from the rest, creating a competitive AI divide, it stated.

"Software and data are the cornerstones of AI," remarked Pacheco. 

"Companies with advanced maturity in these areas have a natural head start. In addition, automotive companies led by execs with strong tech know-how are more likely to make AI their top priority instead of sticking to the traditional priorities of an automotive company," he added.-TradeArabia News Service