Once again, this time thanks to the magic of AI, in-car technology is taking another giant leap forward as the German premium brand Mercedes-Benz plan to introduce ChatGPT into their cars. For those not aware, ChatGPT was launched toward the end of 2022 and enables users to refine and steer a conversation towards a desired length, format, style, level of detail, and language.
MBUX
The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) Voice Assistant is an infotainment and voice command system designed for Mercedes-Benz vehicles, already widely available in the range. Now, the company have announced it is bringing ChatGPT to MBUX equipped vehicles. Initially this will only be in the USA and is currently beta-testing on all 900,000 MBUX-equipped vehicles on American roads.
How Does It Work?
By integrating the ChatGPT large language model into the software, the MBUX Voice Assistant can interact more naturally and adaptively with Mercedes-Benz owners. Drivers experience a voice assistant that not only accepts natural voice commands but can also conduct conversations while, most importantly, keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
The current functions of the Voice Assistant remains as is; for example, opening windows, starting seat massages, navigation to certain destinations or asking about the weather. Now, backed up by ChatGPT, motorists can enjoy more complex interactions. More sophisticated knowledge questions perhaps or a nice chat about destinations and other travel-related topics.
So far, the response from car owners in the USA has been good, drivers seemingly enjoying the larger range of questions that can be answered by the Assistant. These stem, say Mercedes, from a significant increase in usage of the voice assistant in general, as drivers get used to exchanges with their car. It follows then that the ability to interact in a more natural way would seem to stimulate users to engage more with the technology whilst finding it more user-friendly. In the not to distant future then, owners of cars MBUX-equipped can expect this AI science to start making an appearance across all markets and most languages.
The Rise Of Voice Technology
In recent years, voice assistant technology has become increasingly integral to the automotive industry. One of its most important contributions is to driver safety. By enabling hands-free operation of various in-car functions, voice-activated systems ensure that drivers can remain focused on the road. The convenience factor is is the unique selling point: Voice commands streamline tasks such as satellite navigation, telephone calls, and media selection, eliminating the need for button pushing or intricate deep dives into on-screen menus.
Mercedes-Benz have jumped on this bandwagon because the company feels that customers are beginning to require voice-tech in their cars. Thus, as autonomous driving technologies continue to evolve, the brand sees voice assistants playing a crucial role in facilitating seamless handover scenarios between the driver and a vehicle's autonomous system.
Is This The Future?
Certainly the German company see voice assistants becoming an even more integral part of all vehicular systems, extending beyond their current roles in climate, entertainment, and navigation to include advanced safety mechanisms. Utilising AI algorithms, these next-generation voice assistants will have the capability to discern context and mood while also providing recommendations based on real-time information and historical user data.
Microphones throughout the cabin, coupled with profile recognition technology, will, we learn, enable the voice assistant to identify individual speakers and offer a personalized in-car experience.
Is this a step to far? While it is clear that drivers accept voice control as a useful tool as described above and possibly as part of safety alerts, does the retention of data cause an eyebrow to be raised?
What has begun in America will soon extend globally as AI takes more of a role in our lives. Right now MBUX is fully established in current UK models so if Mercedes-Benz models are of interest then ask about how we can supply your next car through our export service from the UK to global destinations. Check out our reviews for the range of vehicles on offer.
