Unveiling Details of CES 2024: Volkswagen with ChatGPT in Cars for Better Conversations

There’s a lot to expect and discover this week, as the CES 2024 has officially started and many companies have been revealing more details on their upcoming products and future progress. You can check out this article to find out the key players.

For the vehicle section, one notable update in the CES 2024 is Volkswagen, as they’re embracing generative AI technology by revealing intentions to integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into their vehicles, with the implementation scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2024. The German automaker Volkswagen with ChatGPT is poised to bring in better conversations in cars with this update, integrating the AI-powered chatbot into all Volkswagen models equipped with their IDA voice assistant.

Understanding Volkswagen with ChatGPT

#VW + #ChatGPT = 🤝

🔜 With the beginning second quarter of 2024, @volkswagen will be the first volume manufacturer to offer ChatGPT as voice control feature in many models and markets.

💡 This gives you many new opportunities which go far beyond today's voice control!#CES24 pic.twitter.com/w6mMxlcEdu

— Volkswagen Group (@VWGroup) January 8, 2024

Volkswagen are leveraging ChatGPT to enhance their in-car voice assistant, IDA, aiming to facilitate more natural communication between the vehicle and the driver. The upgraded voice assistant allows vehicle owners to manage basic functions such as heating and air conditioning, as well as to inquire about “General knowledge questions”. However, users are advised to exercise discretion due to ChatGPT’s occasional tendency to provide inaccurate information.

When and Where Will This Volkswagen with ChatGPT Update Be Implemented?

The AI-driven chatbot, utilising Cerence’s Chat Pro product and a substantial language model from OpenAI, is set to be introduced in the second quarter of 2024, initially launching in Europe. The AI chatbot will be incorporated into various Volkswagen models, including the ID.7, ID.4, ID.5, and ID.3, as well as the new Tiguan, Passat, and Golf vehicles.

Cerence have worked with Volkswagen to set restrictions on the chatbot’s responses. It won’t answer questions involving profanity, explicit content, or sensitive topics, such as the Israel-Hamas War.

Why Volkswagen with ChatGPT?

Some of the audience may be asking why Volkswagen with ChatGPT. Not hard to guess, that this idea came up for individuals seeking an AI-driven chatbot to audibly present researched content while driving.

If you find yourself still questioning the need for ChatGPT in your car, Volkswagen’s here to answer. They suggest that upcoming functionalities will demonstrate its value. These features include enhancing conversations, addressing queries, engaging in intuitive language interactions, providing vehicle-specific information, and more — all accomplished in a completely hands-free manner.

How to Use This Feature of Volkswagen with ChatGPT?

Upon the feature’s implementation, drivers will engage with the IDA voice assistant in a manner similar to their previous interactions. Besides, Volkswagen assure users that there’s no obligation to create a new account or install additional apps for the chatbot.

Activation occurs with the “Hello IDA” wake word or by pressing the steering wheel button. In cases where the voice assistant encounters a request beyond its capabilities, such as inquiries beyond basic weather forecasts, it will seamlessly channel the query anonymously to the AI chatbot. The subsequent response will be conveyed through the IDA voice assistant, clearly indicating the information’s source.

Importantly, OpenAI do not have access to driving statistics, as Volkswagen emphasises that questions and answers are promptly deleted to ensure the utmost level of data protection.

Also Read: Ghost Autonomy, Supported by OpenAI, Asserts That LLMs Will Overcome Challenges in Self-Driving, but Experts Express Scepticism

Volkswagen’s In-Car AI Chatbot Is Not the First

Volkswagen are undeniably the most substantial automaker thus far to announce intentions of incorporating ChatGPT into their vehicles. However, it is not the pioneer in this endeavour, as Mercedes-Benz introduced the conversational AI-bot to their MBUX infotainment system in June of last year.

Many in-car voice assistants excel at basic tasks such as activating seat heaters or defrosters but often lack conversational abilities and struggle with more intricate navigation requests. Issues like false positives and the need for repetitive vocal instructions are widespread. Several automakers resort to solutions from external developers like Google’s Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa to address these limitations.

As numerous automakers leverage the annual CES conference in Las Vegas to unveil their intentions of incorporating generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) into their vehicles, Volkswagen still stood out as the first to formally adopt the OpenAI chatbot that notably initiated the latest AI arms race.

Volkswagen with ChatGPT: A Bold Innovative Move

It’s noteworthy that while other automakers are cautiously assessing ChatGPT’s suitability for in-vehicle use, Volkswagen are decisively embracing the technology. Despite being one of the largest automakers globally, Volkswagen faced challenges in 2023, including lacklustre sales growth, software issues, and layoffs. Evidently seeking a revitalisation, the company’s swift adoption of AI appears aimed at infusing a sense of technological innovation and modernity.

Final Say

The integration of ChatGPT into Volkswagen vehicles might just mark the initial step. Stefan Ortmanns, the CEO of Cerence, mentioned plans for the two companies to “Explore collaboration to design a new, LLM-based user experience as the basis of Volkswagen’s next-generation in-car assistant.”

It’s important to highlight that this introduction is distinct from the initiatives of Cariad, the software division of the Volkswagen Group. Established in 2020 to address Volkswagen’s software-related issues, Cariad have faced their own set of challenges in the past year, including a delayed software launch and an executive shakeup.

Volkswagen’s revealing at CES 2024 regarding Volkswagen with ChatGPT has provided the information thus far. We eagerly await the official announcement of the release of Volkswagen with ChatGPT, which formally signifies the incorporation of the IDA chatbot into the listed car series under the brand. It is only upon this release that comprehensive reviews on the in-car chatbot’s functionality can be obtained to assess its effectiveness.

Meanwhile, you may also consider exploring detailed product unveilings from other key players in the CES event. For instance, Samsung’s renowned Samsung Display has revealed new technology advancements, and you can also take a look at what to expect during their Galaxy Unpacked.