Mercedes-Benz to integrate ChatGPT into voice control
Mercedes-Benz is introducing a pioneering advancement in automotive artificial intelligence by integrating OpenAI’s ChatGPT into the voice control of its vehicles. The German automaker is launching an optional beta program for U.S. customers with over 900,000 vehicles equipped with the MBUX infotainment system, beginning today.
Customers can opt into the program through the Mercedes me app or directly from their vehicles by saying, “Hey Mercedes, I want to join the beta program”. ChatGPT is being integrated through the Azure OpenAI Service, leveraging Microsoft’s enterprise-grade cloud and AI platform capabilities.
The MBUX Voice Assistant has already set industry standards with its intuitive operation and expansive command portfolio, allowing customers to receive updates, ask questions about their surroundings, or control smart functions. With the addition of ChatGPT, Mercedes-Benz aims to enhance the assistant’s natural language understanding and expand the breadth of topics it can respond to.
“Mercedes-Benz combines the best of both worlds, enhancing the validated data of the MBUX Voice Assistant with the more natural dialogue format of ChatGPT,” the company’s press release stated. “Users will experience a voice assistant that not only accepts natural voice commands but can also conduct conversations”1. This will allow drivers to receive more comprehensive answers to queries about their destinations, dinner recipes, or complex questions, all while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
Mercedes-Benz is collaborating with Microsoft for the integration of ChatGPT. Data protection is a top priority for the automaker, which retains complete control over the IT processes in the background. Customer voice command data is stored in the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud, where it is anonymized and analyzed. The company assures customers of their freedom to choose what information is collected and for what purpose and promises to protect all customer data from manipulation and misuse.
“The integration of ChatGPT with Microsoft in our controlled cloud environment is a milestone on our way to making our cars the center of our customers’ digital lives,” a spokesperson for the company said. “Our beta program boosts the existing ‘Hey Mercedes’ functions such as navigation queries, weather requests, and others with the capabilities of ChatGPT. This way, we aim to support conversations with natural dialogues and follow-up questions. Our customers can always rely on us to ensure the best possible protection of their data privacy”.
The beta program is expected to last three months, and the findings from it will be used to improve the voice assistant further and define the rollout strategy for large language models in more markets and languages.
