TL;DR:
- Volkswagen plans to introduce an AI-powered chatbot in its vehicles.
- The chatbot will be integrated with the IDA voice assistant.
- It aims to provide drivers with an AI-based content reading experience.
- Initial rollout in Europe, targeting electric vehicle models.
- The United States market is still under consideration.
- Cerence’s Chat Pro and OpenAI’s language model power the chatbot.
- Volkswagen seeks to enhance in-car interactions, including answering specific vehicle-related queries.
- Cerence has placed limits on the chatbot’s responses, particularly regarding sensitive topics.
- The partnership may lead to the development of a new large language model (LLM)-based user experience.
Main AI News:
Volkswagen is entering the ChatGPT arena, making a significant stride in the automotive industry. At CES 2024 in Las Vegas, this German automaker revealed its ambitious plan to introduce an AI-powered chatbot as a part of all Volkswagen models equipped with its IDA voice assistant.
Why this move? This is for drivers who seek the convenience of having an AI-based chatbot read curated content aloud to them. Tech enthusiasts at CES 2024 had a hands-on experience with the ChatGPT feature, uncovering its potential, while also acknowledging certain areas where improvements are needed.
This AI-driven chatbot, powered by Cerence’s Chat Pro technology and leveraging the capabilities of OpenAI’s extensive language model, will commence its deployment in the second quarter, initially targeting the European market. Volkswagen’s lineup of electric vehicles, including the ID.7, ID.4, ID.5, and ID.3, as well as its latest Tiguan, Passat, and Golf models, will be among the first recipients of this AI chatbot.
As for the United States market, Volkswagen has yet to finalize its plans. The inclusion of the ChatGPT feature is currently under consideration, subject to internal approvals.
ChatGPT, a remarkable AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, has garnered significant attention in the tech world over the past year. Volkswagen, a prominent player in the automotive industry, is taking a significant step by integrating ChatGPT into its vehicles. However, it’s not the pioneer in this endeavor; Mercedes-Benz introduced a conversational AI bot into its MBUX infotainment system back in June.
Similar to Mercedes, Volkswagen has seamlessly integrated ChatGPT into the backend of its IDA voice assistant. This empowers drivers to control infotainment, navigation, air conditioning, and seek answers to general knowledge questions through voice commands.
Volkswagen’s vision extends beyond these basic functions. They aim to provide an enriched conversational experience, addressing queries in an intuitive manner, offering vehicle-specific insights, and more—all in a hands-free mode. To achieve this, Volkswagen is employing a specialized large language model (LLM) called CaLLM, developed by Cerence, capable of handling approximately 10,000 questions and answers tailored to the vehicle, brand, and operations.
Once launched, drivers will interact with the IDA voice assistant as they usually do. Activated using the “Hello IDA” wake word or a button on the steering wheel, the voice assistant seamlessly delegates complex requests to the AI chatbot. Responses are channeled back through the IDA voice assistant, ensuring a coherent and unified experience for the driver.
Cerence has collaborated with Volkswagen to define boundaries for the chatbot’s responses. For instance, inquiries pertaining to profanity, explicit content, or sensitive topics, such as the Israel-Hamas War, are off-limits. However, during a CES 2024 test, the chatbot surprisingly provided a generic response to a creatively phrased question. Additionally, Cerence has set limits on discussing other automaker brands. If asked, “Tell me the 10 reasons I should buy a Toyota,” the assistant politely declines. In contrast, more general queries like “Which automaker led in EV sales in 2022?” are met with accurate responses, with Tesla taking the lead.
For Volkswagen, ChatGPT is just the beginning of a new era. Cerence CEO Stefan Ortmanns has hinted at potential collaborations to design a new, large language model (LLM)-based user experience, serving as the foundation for Volkswagen’s next-generation in-car assistant.
It’s essential to note that this rollout is distinct from the ongoing efforts of Cariad, the software division of the VW Group’s parent company. Established in 2020 to address Volkswagen’s software challenges, Cariad has faced its own set of obstacles, including delayed software launches and leadership changes, over the past year.
Conclusion:
Volkswagen’s strategic integration of ChatGPT represents a significant leap forward in enhancing the in-car experience for drivers. By leveraging AI-powered chatbots, Volkswagen aims to provide added value to its customers, offering an intuitive and hands-free approach to accessing information. This move not only aligns with the evolving automotive tech landscape but also reinforces Volkswagen’s commitment to innovation. As the automotive industry continues to embrace AI and voice technology, Volkswagen’s bold step sets a precedent for other automakers to follow suit, signaling a growing trend towards integrating advanced AI capabilities into vehicles to cater to consumer demands for smarter and more connected driving experiences.
