Millions of vehicles from the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands will offer Amazon Alexa AI assistant starting in the first half of 2020.
Thanks to the available embedded 4G LTE connectivity and GM’s updatable embedded app framework in the vehicle, GM will make Alexa available on model year 2018 and newer cars, trucks, and crossovers featuring compatible infotainment systems.
To benefit from Amazon Alexa, the infotainment systems on model year 2018 or newer GM vehicles need an active service plan, working electrical system, cell reception, and GPS signal. According to GM research, many customers prefer to use the same voice services they use in their home in their vehicles.
Also read: Amazon Looking To Expand Alexa-Enabled Offerings For Car Use
With Amazon Alexa being one of the most popular virtual assistants on the market, General Motors is making the logical step of bringing the technology to its cars, crossovers and trucks. GM says the Alexa voice experience in its vehicles leverages the Alexa Auto Software Development Kit, which makes standard Alexa skills and capabilities available to customers. This will also enable the automaker to create custom skills in the future that are relevant to the customer’s vehicle.
GM claims the collaboration with Amazon “represents the broadest rollout of an embedded Alexa Auto experience to date.” Drivers will be able to enjoy Alexa while on the move by using simple voice commands to check the news, control smart home devices, shop online, and access tens of thousands of Alexa skills.
Alexa Auto will also be integrated with the vehicles’ navigation systems or available OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation, providing directions to a specific address or point of interest. Additionally, users will be able to ask Alexa to play a specific song, artist, genre or station, as well as audiobooks or podcasts, using available streaming services. Finally, drivers can ask Alexa to call friends and family when their pair their phone via Bluetooth and share their contacts with Amazon.
The cool thing about this, beyond the convenience benefits, is that celebrities will soon lend their voices to Alexa, with actor Samuel L. Jackson being the first one as announced by Amazon in the following teaser video. Before you ask, there will be both a clean version and explicit version when the celebrity voice feature launches later this year for $0.99.