Volkswagen is stepping up its in-car technology game by teaming up with Cerence Inc. to integrate their artificial-intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT into its IDA voice assistant. Volkswagen is the first carmaker to bring these advanced capabilities to drivers through a simple cloud update powered by Cerence Chat Pro.
This innovative AI, showcased at CES 2024, is designed to make the IDA voice assistant smarter and more intuitive. Imagine chatting with your car like you would with a friend – you can ask about nearby attractions, get the latest football scores, or even solve a math problem, all while keeping your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
The new features are now available across Volkswagen’s European lineup, including popular brands like Cupra, Seat, and Skoda. This update benefits a range of models, from the all-electric ID family to the newest Golf, Tiguan, and Passat. Plus, it supports five languages: English (both US and UK), German, Spanish, and Czech, so more drivers can enjoy this feature.
Kai Grünitz, part of Volkswagen’s Brand Board of Management, is pretty excited about this. He said, “By integrating ChatGPT into our voice assistant, we offer drivers the chance to use this artificial intelligence daily, showcasing the innovation of our products.”
Volkswagen is also taking your privacy seriously. Any questions sent to the cloud are anonymized, ensuring no personal data from your car is shared with ChatGPT. And if you prefer, you can turn off this feature via the Volkswagen app, keeping you in control.
Right now, these features are available in Europe, but Volkswagen has big plans to bring them worldwide. North American drivers can look forward to this upgrade later this year, with more improvements on the way through early 2025.
Stefan Ortmanns, CEO of Cerence, shared his enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are proud to partner with Volkswagen Group to deliver immediate value to their drivers as they leverage generative AI on the go. These new capabilities make the IDA voice assistant more knowledgeable and valuable, enabling a safer and more enjoyable journey.”
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