According to Volkswagen, the AI bot will be accessible in its ID lineup of electric vehicles (via an over-the-air update in compatible vehicles) and will also be integrated into the Tiguan, Passat, and upcoming Golf internal combustion engine vehicles starting next year. Volkswagen made the decision to unveil the new ChatGPT functionality in their cars at CES 2024.
The collaboration between Volkswagen and Cerence has led to the introduction of the ChatGPT feature, utilizing Cerence’s Chat Pro AI platform tailored for automotive use. This partnership has enhanced Volkswagen’s existing IDA virtual assistant, enabling it to respond to natural language prompts for general inquiries and vehicle control functions.
While DS Automobiles, a luxury brand under Citroen, introduced a similar program late last year, Volkswagen distinguishes itself as the first “volume manufacturer” to implement this technology.
In a typical Les fashion, a promotional video showcased actor Ewan McGregor interacting with IDA and ChatGPT, making inquiries about attire, sourcing options, and requesting his preferred British music selection.
Users have the flexibility to interact with the system using casual language to adjust cabin temperature, navigate to destinations, and make basic queries. Volkswagen ensures the swift deletion of generic questions to maintain stringent data privacy standards.
Furthermore, the system can differentiate between the driver and front passenger, providing tailored responses such as adjusting temperature zones accordingly.
During a live demonstration, the system exhibited its ability to understand context-specific requests, leveraging Cerence’s advanced language model. For example, a request for “butter chicken” would prompt suggestions for nearby Indian restaurants, while an inquiry about “medicine” would offer directions to the nearest pharmacy.
To entertain passengers, VW executives requested a butter chicken recipe, which ChatGPT promptly provided. The audience found amusement in the system’s robotic voice narrating a dinosaur story, although the practicality of such features while driving remains questionable.
Competition in the Artificial Assistant Arena
This year’s CES showcases the trend of integrating artificial intelligence and voice assistants in vehicles, with multiple manufacturers highlighting partnerships with AI providers for this purpose.
Volkswagen’s pioneering integration of ChatGPT may serve as a response to criticisms of the ID electric vehicles’ complex infotainment system. Despite concerns regarding privacy, VW assures that ChatGPT’s access to data is protected by Cerence Chat Pro.
Volkswagen claims the capability to filter out “inappropriate” content, although verifying this without displaying such content, deemed unsuitable for a CES audience, poses challenges.
The swift implementation of ChatGPT by Volkswagen raises questions, considering the technology’s early stage and potential for inaccuracies. In contrast, Mercedes-Benz is conducting trials to evaluate its functionality.
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