Amid the controversy surrounding touchscreens in cars and the distractions they generate on the road, manufacturers may have found a solution: voice assistants. Although until now they were just a simple aid, the arrival of generative AI could make them the only tool we need behind the wheel.
One brand that has decided to be one of the first to take the step towards this technology is Volkswagen with its new online voice assistant IDA, which has been updated to support AI language models, the most famous of which is ChatGPTThe system was already launched in Europe this summer and is now present in more countries.
While this isn’t the first time we’ve seen ChatGPT in cars, it’s the largest automaker to opt for the OpenAI project so far, and one that has the potential to reach more drivers. Volkswagen has chosen to partner with Cerence, a global leader in automotive AI solutions, and its Cerence Chat Pro for connectivity with ChatGPT and other language models, which are activated based on the driver’s query.
The big advantage of ChatGPT over other assistants such as Google Assistant lies in the use of natural languageEasily access more options beyond traditional voice control. Now the car is able to answer questions on various topics and help us on our travels; for example, it can give us information about tourist attractions, tell us the results of the football day or solve mathematical problems that we have encountered.
ChatGPT in Volkswagen cars is controlled by voice and without taking your eyes off the road, which will probably make it more popular than other solutions. Its functions are added to those of the IDA assistant, which is already able to control the. infotainment, navigation and climate control simply using your voice and without having to search for the controls integrated into the touchscreen, one of the biggest complaints of modern drivers. Thanks to natural language recognition, IDA is able to understand indirect commands; for example, if you tell it that it’s hot, it will lower the temperature of the air conditioning.
The new version of the IDA voice assistant with ChatGPT is available first on all models of the ID electric vehicle range; in addition, it can also be used in the new Golf, the new Tiguan and the new Passat.
