BMW will integrate Amazon’s Alexa+ voice assistant into its cars
By ForGeeks
Amazon is gradually introducing the updated Alexa+ voice assistant into its own ecosystem, and now BMW is joining in. The company has announced the launch of a new version of its Alexa Custom Assistant platform, which allows brands to create their own AI assistants based on Alexa technology. The platform will now be powered by the Alexa+ architecture.
Alexa+ will make interactions with the voice assistant in the car more natural and conversational. The updated system will be able to execute more complex commands and utilize advanced intelligence. Alexa+ connects to more than 70 language models (LLMs) and also supports continuous dialog — drivers will be able to continue a conversation started at home through Alexa-enabled devices right in the car.
BMW has already used Alexa Custom Assistant as the basis for its BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA) system, and now it’s the first to get access to Alexa+ capabilities. At CES 2024, the companies unveiled a new feature that allows the assistant to «study» the car’s owner’s manual and answer any questions about its features in real time.
The BMW system is also tightly integrated with the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud platform that powers all connected features. The updated Alexa Custom Assistant will be available in select BMW models in the near future, but exact dates and a list of vehicles have not yet been announced.
