Las Vegas, January 5, 2024 - Volkswagen introduced its latest technological advancement, integrating ChatGPT into its vehicles, allowing for interactive voice assistance. The carmaker showcased the innovation at the CES electronics trade fair in Las Vegas.
The first vehicles featuring ChatGPT are set to be available in North America and Europe from early in the second quarter of this year. Kai Gruenitz, the Volkswagen brand's board member for technical development, highlighted the significance of this integration, stating, "Our customers don't want to manually adjust their seats...they want to use speech dialogue systems."
The AI-powered voice assistant can engage in back-and-forth dialogues, responding to various commands. From adjusting the temperature to recommending the nearest restaurant, the system caters to a range of user demands. Volkswagen executives, along with technology partner Cerence, expressed the versatility of the technology in enhancing user experience.
Customers can now control various functionalities within their vehicles without physically interacting with buttons. Gruenitz explained, "If you have Apple CarPlay or Android or something, you are not able to adjust functionalities inside of the vehicle. That's the next step."
Critics have argued that the integration of generative AI in vehicles falls short of the expected advancements, particularly in fully autonomous vehicles. However, automakers like Volkswagen believe that incorporating seamless and intuitive voice-controlled systems is a crucial step in meeting customer expectations.
Volkswagen claims to be the first volume manufacturer to standardize this technology in its compact segment cars. General Motors has also ventured into the realm of virtual personal assistants, working on an AI model akin to ChatGPT.
Mercedes-Benz conducted a test program last June, allowing around 900,000 vehicles with the "MBUX" system to download ChatGPT. This initiative aimed at enabling users to perform tasks like making reservations while driving. As the automotive industry continues to embrace AI, the focus remains on providing users with a more integrated and intuitive experience.
