The first in-vehicle integration of Alexa Custom Assistant, a comprehensive solution that enables manufacturers to utilise Alexa's sophisticated AI to develop their own branded, intelligent assistants, was unveiled today by Continental and Elektrobit (EB). The partnership combines Continental's automotive electronics knowledge with EB's software expertise, allowing Alexa Custom Assistant to be integrated into Continental's Cockpit High-Performance Computer using EB's software and integration services.
The integration of Alexa Custom Assistant into a production vehicle is significant because it allows automakers to truly experience the solution as part of a fully integrated digital cockpit, providing them with better insights into the solution's in-vehicle value proposition and enabling the discovery of novel use cases. Automakers will be able to quickly add an industry-leading personalised speech experience to their vehicles, setting them apart from competitors, thanks to the highly integrated hardware-software solution.
“The automotive cockpit is changing. With the addition of more displays, cameras, sensors and advanced features, it is becoming increasingly complex. Additionally, boundaries between life in and outside the vehicle continue to blur, with consumers expecting a seamless technology experience no matter where they are,” explained Frank Rabe, head of business unit Human Machine Interface at Continental.
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“Holistic interaction concepts for such complex systems are key, and the best user experience is becoming the ultimate differentiator for any automaker. Working together with Amazon we enable automakers to create world-class customized voice AI experiences that maximize resources and enhance the customer experience.”
All kinds of bespoke experiences can be programmed into the vehicle with Alexa Custom Assistant, allowing for a natural interaction between the driver, custom assistant, and Alexa to satisfy the driver's request. Alexa's advanced artificial intelligence ensures that each request is delivered to the assistant who can give the most relevant and enjoyable experience. If a consumer asks Alexa to roll down a car window, for example, the request will be forwarded to the vehicle brand's assistant.
The request will be forwarded to Alexa if a consumer asks the vehicle brand's assistant to play an audio book. Automakers can even tailor their brand's assistant with their own wake word, voice, and capabilities, giving customers the benefits of an intelligent assistant who is an expert on their products and services while coexisting and collaborating seamlessly with Alexa.
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“Advances in AI are making voice experiences in the car more natural, conversational and user-friendly – and we want to make this innovation accessible to any automaker without the investments required to build it from scratch and maintain over time,” said Ned Curic, vice president of Alexa Auto. “This collaboration with Continental and EB gives the industry a highly integrated and scalable solution for adding customizable in-vehicle experiences to cockpit systems while reducing the burden of building the core capabilities of an intelligent assistant, so automakers can focus their time and resources on creating other unique capabilities that delight their customers.”
On July 21, there will be a public debut at Alexa Live.
Continental and EB’s in-vehicle integration of Alexa Custom Assistant will be demonstrated at Alexa Live, Amazon’s free virtual education event for the Alexa developer community. Automakers are invited to join the session live at 7:15 p.m., by registering here [amazon.com/alexalive].
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