MG India unveils AI assistant for upcoming SUV

MG Motor India today revealed the technology ingredients into its upcoming midsize SUV – MG Astor – that is expected to be launched in the coming festive season.

The Astor will get what MG has christened as an AI or Artificial Intelligence assistant, in the form of an interactive dashboard-mounted robot. The AI assistant will be powered by MG’s i-Smart Hub to throw answers to questions from Wikipedia, and responding to voice commands including those to open the sunroof or controlling the air conditioning inside the SUV.

MG Motor India also revealed its myriad partnerships including telecom giant Jio, MapmyIndia and Park Plus for offering a host of car-as-a-platform (CAAP) services on the Astor using the AI assistant.

The Astor, which is based upon MG’s existing ZS EV currently on sale in India, will come with IC engine options, and also offer advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) Level-II features including lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and intelligent headlamp control among others.

According to Rajeev Chaba, President and MD, MG Motor India, "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 innovation and software at the heart of the production, our vehicles will continue to provide a smarter and safer driving experience by leveraging AI."

While the launch is some time away, MG Motor India teased the front looks of the upcoming Astor, which bears a 3D effect to the electroplated tungsten steel grille. According to Autocar India, the MG Astor will get a 120hp, 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol engine as well as a 163hp, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol unit. After the successful Hector, this mid-size SUV will be MG’s take on the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Mahindra XUV700.