On Monday, Volkswagen unveiled its first vehicles with a voice assistant based on artificial intelligence (AI) technology similar to ChatGPT throughout the CES electronics trade show in Las Vegas.
This novel functionality empowers drivers to have researched content read aloud to them while operating Volkswagen models equipped with the “IDA” voice assistant.
Volkswagen asserts that IDA can not only respond to general knowledge queries but can also govern the car’s infotainment, navigation, and air conditioning systems.
The company envisions that in the future, the evolving capabilities of AI will furnish additional information, extending beyond the current functionalities.
This may encompass providing vehicle-specific details and engaging in intuitive language interactions to address inquiries and enhance conversational interactions.
Volkswagen highlights that its incorporation of ChatGPT, executed in collaboration with Cerence Inc., positions it as the first major automaker to standardize the AI chatbot feature in its compact car lineup.
Volkswagen’s Data Security Measures for ChatGPT
According to a Volkswagen press release, ChatGPT operates without access to any vehicle data, and both questions and answers are promptly deleted to ensure data protection.
Cerence Chat Pro facilitates this process by utilizing various sources, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, to deliver accurate and pertinent responses to user inquiries.
Notably, the incorporation of this feature does not necessitate Volkswagen drivers to create a new account or install either an app or ChatGPT.
Activation of the IDA voice assistant is achieved through a user uttering “Hello IDA” or pressing a designated button on the steering wheel.
It is worth mentioning that Volkswagen is not the sole automaker contemplating the integration of ChatGPT. In March, reports indicated that General Motors was exploring the technology, and last summer, a similar implementation was demonstrated in a Mercedes-Benz.
In June of the previous year, Mercedes-Benz conducted a pilot program wherein approximately 900,000 vehicles equipped with the automaker’s “MBUX” system were enabled to download ChatGPT.
The intention behind this initiative is to empower users to eventually perform tasks such as making movie or restaurant reservations while operating the vehicle.