Click to enlarge.
Volkswagen said today that it will introduce the artificial-intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT into all Volkswagen models equipped with the IDA voice assistant.1 Cerence Chat Pro from technology partner Cerence Inc. is the foundation of the new function, which claims to off an intelligent, automotive-grade ChatGPT integration. Volkswagen will offer Chat GPT as a standard feature from the second quarter of 2024 in many production vehicles. The connected car feature is under study for the United States. Research from Deloitte shows that only ~25% of US drivers are willing to pay extra for such services.
“Volkswagen has always democratized technology and made it accessible to the many. This is simply ingrained in our DNA. As a result, we are now the first volume manufacturer to make this innovative technology a standard feature to vehicles from the compact segment upwards. Thanks to the seamless integration of ChatGPT and strong collaboration with our partner, Cerence, we are offering our drivers added value and direct access to the AI-based research tool. This also underlines the innovative strength of our new products,” said Kai Grünitz, Member of the Board of Management Volkswagen Brand for technical Development.
The new chatbot will be offered in conjunction with the latest generation of infotainment in the following models: ID.71, ID.4, ID.5, ID.3, the all-new Tiguan3 and the all-new Passat3 as well as in the new Golf3/4. Enabled by Cerence Chat Pro, the integration of ChatGPT into the backend of the Volkswagen voice assistant offers a new capabilities that go beyond the previous voice control. For example, the IDA voice assistant can be used, for example, to control the infotainment, navigation and air conditioning, or to answer general knowledge questions. In the future, AI will provide additional information in response to questions that go beyond this as part of its continuously expanding capabilities. This can be helpful on many levels during a car journey: Enriching conversations, clearing up questions, interacting in intuitive language, receiving vehicle-specific information – hands-free.
VW said that nothing changes for the person behind the wheel. There is no need to create a new account, install a new app or activate ChatGPT: The voice assistant is activated by saying “Hello IDA” or by pressing the button on the steering wheel. IDA automatically prioritizes whether a vehicle function should be executed, a destination searched and the temperature adjusted. If the request cannot be answered by the Volkswagen system, it is forwarded anonymously to AI and the familiar Volkswagen voice responds.
ChatGPT does not gain any access to vehicle data; questions and answers are deleted immediately to ensure data protection. This is said to be helped by Cerence Chat Pro, which uses a multitude of sources, including ChatGPT, to enable IDA to provide relevant responses to nearly every query. The feature also prioritizes security and seamless integration with IDA’s myriad capabilities, delivering ease of use for drivers, it’s claimed.
*Inevitable VW Footnotes
1 – ID.7 – Power consumption in kWh/100 km: combined 16.3-14.1; CO2 emissions in g/km: combined 0. Fuel consumption and emission figures for the vehicles are only available in accordance with the WLTP and not the NEDC. Information on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in ranges depending on the selected equipment of the vehicle.
3 – Optional or line-dependent equipment.
4 – Golf – near-series vehicle.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Volkswagen to Add ChatGPT into its Vehicles
Click to enlarge.
Volkswagen said today that it will introduce the artificial-intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT into all Volkswagen models equipped with the IDA voice assistant.1 Cerence Chat Pro from technology partner Cerence Inc. is the foundation of the new function, which claims to off an intelligent, automotive-grade ChatGPT integration. Volkswagen will offer Chat GPT as a standard feature from the second quarter of 2024 in many production vehicles. The connected car feature is under study for the United States. Research from Deloitte shows that only ~25% of US drivers are willing to pay extra for such services.
“Volkswagen has always democratized technology and made it accessible to the many. This is simply ingrained in our DNA. As a result, we are now the first volume manufacturer to make this innovative technology a standard feature to vehicles from the compact segment upwards. Thanks to the seamless integration of ChatGPT and strong collaboration with our partner, Cerence, we are offering our drivers added value and direct access to the AI-based research tool. This also underlines the innovative strength of our new products,” said Kai Grünitz, Member of the Board of Management Volkswagen Brand for technical Development.
The new chatbot will be offered in conjunction with the latest generation of infotainment in the following models: ID.71, ID.4, ID.5, ID.3, the all-new Tiguan3 and the all-new Passat3 as well as in the new Golf3/4. Enabled by Cerence Chat Pro, the integration of ChatGPT into the backend of the Volkswagen voice assistant offers a new capabilities that go beyond the previous voice control. For example, the IDA voice assistant can be used, for example, to control the infotainment, navigation and air conditioning, or to answer general knowledge questions. In the future, AI will provide additional information in response to questions that go beyond this as part of its continuously expanding capabilities. This can be helpful on many levels during a car journey: Enriching conversations, clearing up questions, interacting in intuitive language, receiving vehicle-specific information – hands-free.
VW said that nothing changes for the person behind the wheel. There is no need to create a new account, install a new app or activate ChatGPT: The voice assistant is activated by saying “Hello IDA” or by pressing the button on the steering wheel. IDA automatically prioritizes whether a vehicle function should be executed, a destination searched and the temperature adjusted. If the request cannot be answered by the Volkswagen system, it is forwarded anonymously to AI and the familiar Volkswagen voice responds.
ChatGPT does not gain any access to vehicle data; questions and answers are deleted immediately to ensure data protection. This is said to be helped by Cerence Chat Pro, which uses a multitude of sources, including ChatGPT, to enable IDA to provide relevant responses to nearly every query. The feature also prioritizes security and seamless integration with IDA’s myriad capabilities, delivering ease of use for drivers, it’s claimed.
*Inevitable VW Footnotes
1 – ID.7 – Power consumption in kWh/100 km: combined 16.3-14.1; CO2 emissions in g/km: combined 0. Fuel consumption and emission figures for the vehicles are only available in accordance with the WLTP and not the NEDC. Information on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in ranges depending on the selected equipment of the vehicle.
3 – Optional or line-dependent equipment.
4 – Golf – near-series vehicle.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.