Volkswagen Declares It Will Include An AI Chatbot Powered By ChatGPT In Its Cars

Volkswagen, a German carmaker, has announced that ChatGPT, an AI chatbot, would be included into its IDA voice assistant.Saying “Hello IDA” or tapping the steering wheel button will start the voice assistance, which is enabled with Cerence Chat Pro. IDA automatically determines which task should come first: searching for a location, using a car function, or adjusting the temperature. The recognizable Volkswagen voice answers if the request is sent anonymously to AI and the VW system is unable to provide a response.

The manufacturer said this at CES 2024: “ChatGPT does not obtain access to any vehicle data, and questions and answers are erased instantly to ensure the highest possible level of data protection.”According to Volkswagen, starting in the second quarter of 2024, ChatGPT will be available as a standard feature in numerous production cars, making it the first volume manufacturer to do so.Alongside the newest infotainment system, the new chatbot is available in the following models: ID.7, ID.4, ID.5, ID.3, the all-new Tiguan and Passat, as well as the new Golf.

“We are providing our drivers with additional value and direct access to the AI-based research tool because of the smooth integration of ChatGPT and our strong partnership with Cerence,” said Kai Grunitz, Member of the Board of Management Volkswagen Brand for Technical Development.The IDA voice assistant may be utilized with ChatGPT to answer general knowledge queries and operate the entertainment, navigation, and air conditioning.

Beyond this, as part of its ever-expanding capabilities, AI will in the future provide more details in answer to inquiries. “With Cerence Chat Pro, VW is empowered with an automotive-grade ChatGPT integration that offers unmatched flexibility, customisation, and ease of deployment, while prioritising security and usability for drivers,” stated Stefan Ortmanns, chief executive officer of Cerence.