In a bid to further expand the use of Artificial Intelligence and integrate it into the voice control of its vehicles as the next step, Mercedes-Benz has announced the introduction of ChatGPT to its MBUX Voice Assistant's Hey Mercedes. The company is integrating ChatGPT through Azure OpenAI Service, leveraging the enterprise-grade capabilities of Microsoft’s cloud and AI platform.
An optional beta programme will start June 16, 2023 in the US for over 900,000 vehicles equipped with the MBUX infotainment system. The rollout of the beta programme will happen over the air. All vehicles with MBUX of model series A 238, C 118, C 167, C 238, C 253, C 254, C 257, H 247, N 293, R 232, S 213, V 167, V 177, V 295, V 297, W 206, W 213, WV 223, X 167, X 243, X 247, X 253, X 254, X 294, X 296, Z 223 and Z 296 will get the update.
A press release from Mercedes-Benz noted that ChatGPT complements the existing intuitive voice control via Hey Mercedes. While most voice assistants are limited to predefined tasks and responses, ChatGPT leverages a large language model to greatly improve natural language understanding and expand the topics to which it can respond.
Users will experience a voice assistant that accepts natural voice commands and can also conduct conversations. Soon, participants who ask the Voice Assistant for details about their destination, to suggest a new dinner recipe, or to answer a complex question, will receive a more comprehensive answer – while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, the release added.
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement, noted that the integration of ChatGPT with Microsoft in the company’s controlled cloud environment is a milestone to making cars the centre of the customers’ digital lives.
“Our beta programme 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,” he added.
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