All aboard the AI hype train. Since OpenAI’s ChatGPT shocked the world last year with its eerily human-like answers to random questions and ability to compose Shakespearean sonnets about farting in seconds, practically every company on the planet has announced some kind of strategy leveraging artificial intelligence.
AI is even headed for your car, in the form of more sophisticated voice assistants built on the large language models underlying generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT. On Tuesday, TomTom announced a new voice assistant it wants to sell to car companies that’s powered by OpenAI’s tech.
The product, which TomTom says could be integrated into a car’s infotainment system, comes by way of a deal with Microsoft, a major OpenAI investor.
Drivers will be able to converse naturally with their vehicle, TomTom says. They’ll also be able to ask the AI-powered assistant to navigate to a certain location, find specific stops along their route, and vocally control onboard systems to, for instance, turn up the temperature, open windows, or change radio stations.
Many cars already come with voice assistants that can understand vague inputs like I’m cold or entertain gimmicky commands like tell me a joke. But even the car industry’s more advanced systems have their limits and often misunderstand what a driver is saying. If voice assistants could understand a broader range of commands and execute on them, that could make driving more convenient and reduce reliance on distracting touchscreens.
Mercedes-Benz struck a similar deal with Microsoft to bring ChatGPT to its cars in June. It said at the time that drivers would soon be able to ask their cars complex questions and have full-blown conversations. General Motors is reportedly exploring the possibility too.
It’s probably only a matter of time before Teslas get AI chatbot capability too. Tesla CEO Elon Musk founded an AI firm called xAI that recently launched a sarcastic chatbot called Grok.
With the integration of OpenAI’s technology, car voice assistants are expected to become more sophisticated, allowing drivers to have natural conversations with their vehicles and perform various tasks seamlessly. TomTom, known for its GPS units, has partnered with Microsoft to develop a voice assistant that could be integrated into car infotainment systems. By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, drivers will be able to navigate to specific locations, find stops along their routes, and control onboard systems vocally.
Current voice assistants in cars often have limitations and struggle to understand complex commands. However, with the incorporation of OpenAI’s technology, these assistants will be able to comprehend a broader range of instructions, enhancing the convenience and reducing the need for distracting touchscreens.
Mercedes-Benz has already teamed up with Microsoft to bring ChatGPT to its cars, enabling drivers to ask complex questions and engage in meaningful conversations with their vehicles. Other companies, such as General Motors, are also exploring similar possibilities.
Considering the success of OpenAI’s technology, it is likely that Tesla will follow suit and introduce AI chatbot capability to its vehicles. Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s AI firm, xAI, has recently unveiled a witty chatbot named Grok.
By integrating OpenAI’s tech into car voice assistants, companies aim to revolutionize the driving experience, making it more interactive and user-friendly. As voice assistants become more advanced, they have the potential to greatly improve communication between drivers and their cars, paving the way for a new era of automotive technology.
