Mercedes-Benz is adding ChatGPT to its cars for AI voice commands
As a result of the integration, MBUX will be better able to grasp natural language and respond to a wider range of issues.
Mercedes-Benz uses ChatGPT to power its voice assistant
Highlights
- ChatGPT is being added to Mercedes-Benz MBUX automobiles
- Voice command data is analysed in the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud
- The beta programme will only be available for US customers
German automobile manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz, stated on 15 June 2023, that as part of a beta programme for its Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) feature, it will integrate OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot into its automobiles, enabling AI-driven voice commands. The beta programme will only be accessible to customers in the United States.
Mercedes-Benz adds ChatGPT to its in-car MBUX system
Mercedes-Benz recently declared that voice control for its renowned MBUX cars will soon use artificial intelligence. By using ChatGPT, the company said that "voice control via the MBUX Voice Assistant's Hey Mercedes will become even more intuitive."
With the assistance of ChatGPT, owners of Mercedes-Benz vehicles can use the Mercedes Me app or voice command in the vehicle to say, 'Hey Mercedes, I want to join the beta programme.'
This enables drivers of over 900,000 MBUX-equipped vehicles to have more lively conversations with the onboard AI.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the well-known chatbot will be available in its vehicles via the Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, which the tech giant unveiled in March. Although ChatGPT has just been added, the MBUX voice assistant and its 'Hey Mercedes' function debuted in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class in 2018.
According to a salesperson from Mercedes-Benz of Carlsbad in California, “Voice commands for the AI are through the car, so you would be speaking to the car directly."
He further said that orders only function within the car. The voice assistant lets drivers change the temperature in the car, play music, or set navigation.
Redefining the relationship with your Mercedes, a top goal
While the ‘Hey Mercedes’ feature present version can respond to inquiries, ChatGPT's major language model improvement aims to make the replies more understandable.
The company stated that data privacy is a key priority in case any Mercedes-Benz drivers are uncomfortable with ChatGPT in their vehicles. As the automaker keeps an eye out for any threats and ways to make the system better, it said that ChatGPT will run inside a ‘controlled cloud.’
Markus Schäfer, Mercedes-Benz Group CTO, said in a statement, "The integration of ChatGPT with Microsoft in our managed cloud environment is a significant step towards our goal of making our clients' digital lives revolve around their automobiles."
Furthermore, he stated, "With the help of ChatGPT, our beta programme enhances the Hey Mercedes features already available, such as navigation requests, weather requests, and others. By doing so, we hope to encourage spontaneous discussions and follow-up inquiries during interactions. Customers can always count on us to provide the highest level of data privacy protection."
