Elon Musk hints at KITT-like AI in Tesla cars

Drivers will apparently be able to talk to the AI system in Tesla vehicles.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has hinted at an artificial intelligence system that will support conversational interaction with vehicles.

Responding to a Twitter request, Musk apparently confirmed Tesla vehicles will get a "KITT-like" AI system, referencing the conversational AI system in the 1982 Pontiac Firebird from the TV series Knight Rider.

Yes

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 29, 2018

Some Model 3 owners have complained that certain functions are awkward to perform via the touchscreen-only interface. A more advanced voice-command system, similar to Google Assistant, could help alleviate the difficulties.

Tesla recently put an AI expert in charge of Autopilot development and hired chip experts, reportedly tasked with developing AI hardware in-house.

"The future is accelerating," Musk wrote in the Twitter thread, without elaborating on a specific timeframe for rolling out new AI features in Tesla vehicles.